Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere
IT is another Manero dance in the USA and this time it comes with the Lionel Messi stamp of approval. The storm has passed and the words “you won’t remember how you made it through” are ringing true in the ears of Warriors vice-captain Teenage “Manero” Hadebe as he inches closer to sealing a new deal with Major League Soccer side FC Cincinnati.
Sources close to the Makokoba-bred defender say Cincinnati are keen to keep him. His current contract runs out on 31 December but the club is reportedly ready to activate the extension clause.
“They still want his services. He has done well for the team and I’m told he is set to renew his contract,” said a source.
Hadebe joined Cincinnati in August last year on a one-and-a-half-year deal that included an extension option. He has since become a pillar at the back for the club, who finished second on the league table this season.
“It will take time, let’s wait and see. I cannot comment further. I think it’s early days,” was all Hadebe could say.
But the biggest moment of his season came not from league position but from a football icon. A few days ago, the former Kaizer Chiefs centre-back announced on his social media pages that he will be gifting the Lionel Messi jersey he received after their MLS playoff clash to businessman Scott Sakupwanya.
Hadebe faced Inter Miami in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Eastern Conference semi-finals. Cincinnati were battered 4–0 but the Zimbabwean defender earned a once-in-a-lifetime consolation. At full-time he swapped shirts with Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, after the Argentine opened the scoring with a 19th-minute header before Miami added three more goals to silence the TQL Stadium crowd.
Despite the heavy defeat, Hadebe walked away with a treasure most footballers will never hold. In a video released after the match, he congratulated Sakupwanya’s Scottland Football Club for winning promotion and lifting the league title.
“We just want to give a massive congratulations to you, the management team, the players and all involved at Scottland Football Club for winning the league title. I wish you the best and great success, and keep growing football in Zimbabwe. We appreciate you,” said Hadebe.
He then lifted the match-worn Messi jersey, revealing the prize he intended to hand over to Sakupwanya, who continues to invest heavily in Scottland FC and push for modernised football structures in Zimbabwe.
