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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
FORMER Fifa World Player of the Year Luis Figo yesterday said his visit to Bulawayo was to explore mining opportunities in the country. The legendary winger who had 127 caps for the Portuguese national football team, making him the most capped player for his country, sneaked into Zimbabwe on Thursday afternoon through the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in the company of South African businessman Gayton McKenzie.
Yesterday morning Figo and his business associates visited a gold mine in Hope Fountain on the outskirts of Bulawayo.
Speaking before his departure yesterday, the ex-Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan winger said he was looking forward to investing in Zimbabwe.
“This is my first time to be here and the place looks quiet and relaxing. I came with a friend who invited me to explore opportunities in football and other areas. I cannot say much because it was a short visit but I managed to get contacts.
“As a businessman I hope to do some good business here and probably contribute to the development of this country,” he said.
Figo who had an illustrious football career that saw him winning trophies including the Portuguese Trophy, four La Liga titles and three Spanish Super Cups, visited a gold mine in Hope Fountain.
The winner of a Uefa Champions League title with Real Madrid in 2002, Figo said he was happy with the country’s hospitality.
“Like I said, this is my first time here and the people are very welcoming and with such hospitality, I am sure I will be back,” he said.
His visit comes a week after Zimbabwe successfully co-hosted the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly with Zambia.
A visit by such a high profile figure confirms that Zimbabwe is a safe investment and tourism destination.
McKenzie said he met Figo at a business expo in Europe and Figo expressed his desire to spread his investments.
“I have been investing in Zimbabwe for the past nine years and because of the potential that I saw, I decided to invite Figo, who is now a friend, to explore business opportunities here.
Zimbabwe is an investment haven and has a potential for an economic boom. So, investors can utilise the opportunities which are here,” said McKenzie.
Local miner Tapiwa ‘Chipy’ Chipembere who was in the company of Figo and McKenzie expressed hope that the Portuguese would invest in Zimbabwe.
“At the moment I cannot say anything because we just had a meeting and we will see where this leaves us. Should there be any deals, we will make sure that we abide by the laws of the country.
“McKenzie is a business associate based in South Africa and we hope to bring in investments into Zimbabwe as well,” said Chipembere. Soon after the interview, the former European Footballer of the Year who had a career spanning 20 years was whisked away to the VIP travellers section as people jostled to get a glimpse of the legendary soccer player while others wanted to be taken photographs together with him.
The Portuguese international who won a single Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup and two Uefa Super Cups among other accolades was born on 2 November 1972 and started his career at Sporting CP in Portugal.
He won his first senior international cap in 1991 but prior to that, he had won the Under-21 World Championships and Under-16 European Championships with Portugal junior sides alongside Rui Costa and Joao Pinto.
Figo was also part of Portugal’s “Golden Generation” that also had Pinto, Rui Costa, Nuno Gomes and they reached the Euro 2000 semi-finals and lost out to Greece in the final of the 2004 edition.
He retired from international football after that final with reports saying there was a rift between him and national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari although this was denied. However, in June 2005, he reversed his decision and returned for the 2006 World Cup qualifying wins against Slovakia and Estonia under Scolari.
Figo captained the squad during the 2006 World Cup, leading the team to the semi-finals but lost to France courtesy of a penalty from his former club-mate at Real Madrid and French captain Zinedine Zidane.
That was Portugal’s best finish in 40 years. The third place play-off caused some controversy as Figo did not start and lost 3-1 to hosts Germany.
Figo finished his international career with 127 caps and scored 32 goals.
Online Reporter