CHIVAYO GONE! Football family in mourning

THE Zimbabwe football family is mourning the sudden death of flamboyant businessman and football benefactor Sir Wicknell Chivayo, whose generosity had touched clubs and players across Zimbabwe.

Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke, two pilots and another passenger died in a helicopter crash in Marondera on Wednesday.

His death has left Highlanders, Scottland and Bulawayo Chiefs among clubs mourning a man whose name had become synonymous with financial support for football.
For Highlanders, the pain is even deeper.

Just hours before his death, Chivayo had handed Bosso another US$250 000, taking his financial support to the club to more than US$2 million over the past two years.

Highlanders president Dumisani Sandi described Chivayo as a pillar whose intervention had come when the club was facing possible collapse.

“Chivayo appeared God sent to us as he came in at the right time when we were facing collapse with no other source of funding. As a club we do not know where we will get that financial support as he was our pillar and his interventions have carried the club this far,” said Sandi.

The businessman had also bought Highlanders a team bus, something Sandi said the club could only have dreamt of owning.

“Even the beautiful bus he bought us, we could have only dreamt having such a bus. We are so grateful for all he did for us,” he said.

Highlanders said the latest cash injection would help clear outstanding obligations to the players and provide much-needed stability.

The club described Chivayo as an “all-weather friend”, saying his support had made a meaningful difference at critical moments.

For Bosso supporters, the news was equally difficult to comprehend.

Popular Highlanders supporter and self-styled Umfundisi weBosso, Doubt Dube, said Chivayo had become part of the club’s story after standing by it during difficult times.

“This is heartbreaking. Sir Wicknell was not just a businessman who gave money to football; he became part of the football family and, for us at Highlanders, he came in when the club desperately needed assistance.

“To lose him just after he had once again stood by Bosso is very painful. We can only thank God for his life, pray for his wife and the other people who died with him, and ask God to comfort their families. His generosity will never be forgotten,” said Dube.

Evans Chigona popularly known as Referee WeBosso said the circumstances surrounding Chivayo’s death had made the loss even more painful.

“I am deeply saddened by this news. Sir Wicknell’s contribution to football cannot be separated from the clubs and supporters whose lives he touched.

“He supported football at a time when many clubs were struggling, and Highlanders was one of the biggest beneficiaries of his generosity. The fact that he was able to give the club another US$250 000 just before his death makes this loss even harder to comprehend.

“My heartfelt condolences go to the Chivayo and Muteke families and all the families who lost loved ones in this tragedy,” said Chigona.

Another Bosso supporter, Meluleki Ndebele said Chivayo’s contribution would remain etched in the memories of Highlanders fans.

“Words are difficult to find because this is such a painful loss. We have seen many people promise to support football, but Sir Wicknell actually came forward and put his money to support the club.

“For Highlanders supporters, he gave us hope at a time when things looked very difficult. Today we are not talking about money or football, we are mourning a human being who touched many lives. May his soul rest in peace and may God give his family strength to carry this unbearable pain,” said Ndebele.

Meanwhile, Scottland were also left mourning their sponsor.

The club said Chivayo had become more than just a sponsor, describing him as an important member of the Scottland family who believed in its ambitions and stood by the team through triumphs and challenges.

“Beyond the sponsorship, Sir Wicknell believed in our dreams, stood by us through every triumph and challenge. He had become an invaluable part of the Scottland FC family,” said the club.

Scottland said his death had left a huge void.

“The void left by his sudden demise is huge, not only for Scottland but for everyone whose lives were touched by his generosity,” said the club.

Bulawayo Chiefs also joined the football fraternity in mourning Chivayo and his wife.

The club extended its condolences to the Chivayo and Muteke families as well as the families and friends of the other three victims.

“During this difficult time, we extend our heartfelt condolences to all those who have been affected by this tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and friends as they navigate this painful period,” said Bulawayo Chiefs.

For football, Chivayo’s death leaves behind a complicated mix of shock, grief and memories.