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Lovemore Dube
ZIMBABWE Saints chairman Tawanda Ruzive has praised prominent city lawyer and football administrator Tavengwa Hara for his starring role in Monday’s talks in the city that brought unity to the club.
Chikwata appeared out of Zimbabwe football on Saturday after their case of reinstatement was not brought up at the Zifa Southern Region annual general meeting. This was after one of the factions had asked Lloyd Munhanga’s Zifa executive last year to “bank” their franchise until 2026, a time by which they had hoped they would have resolved internal wars.
The club had two distinct factions; one led by Ruzive and the other by Munhanga himself, who doubled up as club chairman and chief executive officer.
Going into Saturday’s meeting, where the Saints’ issue was never on the agenda, Ruzive and his faction had already secured the Makwika United franchise to play in the Pacific Breeze Southern League.
They were even prepared to play as Makwika until next year if Zifa did not allow the name change, which they were aware could have opened them up to litigation by the other group.
But on Monday morning, Hara had the inevitable task of uniting the feuding parties.
“I wish to thank and commend football administrator and legal practitioner Tawengwa Hara for the role he played in bringing unity to Zimbabwe Saints. We really appreciate him for that as he was key in finding us and making us see the importance of unity under the Zimbabwe Saints banner. He was fair and showed maturity as both a long-standing administrator and lawyer, preaching unity and tolerance of each other’s views. He said in all our everyday endeavours we must put our differences aside, and ensure Saints emerges as the winner in honour of its history and great heroes of the past,” said Ruzive.
Hara said he was humbled to be considered for the mediator role.
“I played my part and now the onus is on them to make the unity work. What would be great is to hear that Saints are playing football again,” said Hara who has served Zimbabwe football in different capacities in the last two decades.
Chikwata have been in and out of football and spent 2025 inactive and will this Saturday face Mosi Rovers at Chinotimba Stadium, Victoria Falls.
Online Reporter