Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube
FORMER Highlanders and Zimbabwe Saints championship-winning coach Roy Barreto has died. He was 72.
The news was confirmed on Monday evening by his longtime friend, Illan Elkaim, who said Barreto had been battling illness for some time.
“I am gutted. Roy had been ill for a while and finally succumbed today,” said Elkaim.
Barreto began his coaching career in Mutare in the early 1980s before relocating to Bulawayo, where he joined the Zimbabwe Saints technical team.
He helped guide Chikwata to the Chibuku Trophy before steering the club to the 1988 league championship, cementing his reputation as one of Zimbabwe’s finest football tacticians.
In 1989, Barreto crossed the city divide to join Highlanders, where he enjoyed further success. He led Bosso to the league and cup double in 1990 before winning the inaugural Premier Soccer League title in 1993.
He was also part of Zimbabwe’s celebrated “Dream Team” technical setup, serving as assistant to the late Reinhard Fabisch during one of the national team’s most successful eras.
Barreto’s coaching career extended beyond Zimbabwe. He worked in Namibia, had a stint with South African side Free State Stars and later joined Orlando Pirates, where he won the South African league title.
At the time of his death, Barreto was living in Portugal with his wife, Fazi.
He is survived by his wife and two daughters, one based in England and the other in Ireland.
Bongani Ndlovu