Magaya regrets Yadah name

PROPHET Magaya the owner of Yadah FC has urged club owners to give their teams names that relate to cities or towns that they are based in.

He acknowledged that he had erred in giving his team the name Yadah.

“That was about 10 years ago, I was much younger. I would not give such a name today.

“Teams must be named after cities, people will come. They will go and watch Chegutu Pirates because it’s theirs. I would love to see Simba Bhora named Shamva,” said Magaya at the official opening of his Hearts Stadium in Harare’s Waterfalls’ suburb in Harare on Sunday.

He noted that some of the names were turning away would-be supporters. He emphasised that the names associate with the general populace adding that it was a big mistake for his team to have adopted the name Yadah.

Zimbabwe has teams like Hwange FC, Chinhoyi United, Plumtree Wanderers, Kwekwe United and Chegutu Pirates, which tend to identify with the communities they belong to.

Some names have no relevance to the communities they exist in like former Division One side Mountain Climbers, yet the club is from Queens Park West in Bulawayo’s northern Suburbs.

After years with having as many as five to six Division One teams in Victoria Falls, last year residents decided to pool resources towards one team which they named Mosi Oa Tunya FC. It represents the whole community and it is hoped with time that team will bring Premiership football to the resort city.

Magaya said he was keen to help other cities on infrastructure development. He said he would love to see stadia in Harare and Chitungwiza improved. He said he wished the same for Bulawayo and Mutare.

He said at one time he wanted a stadium in Victoria Falls and to build a hospital.

“I wanted to build a stadium in Victoria Falls and a hospital, but they (council) played us tricks. My team is ever ready,” said Magaya.

He said the launch of The Heart Football Stadium had allowed him access to speak about stadia to President Mnangagwa.

He said he was worried about Dynamos and Ngezi who will be playing continental football next year. He said his Heart Stadium will be ready for use after closing for a month for final touch ups.

“I am very much worried about Dynamos and Ngezi Platinum Stars, your voice matters. We are going to close for a month, then we will be ready for Africa. This is your facility. We are trying to push Government, football is life, football is business,” said Magaya.

He challenged the media and the PSL to work hard in creating the next generation of heroes. He said not much was done in marketing the football brand and stars which is very important for the image of the game.