Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze, Zimpapers Sports Hub
WITH only five games left in the Premier Soccer League season, Yadah Stars are staring at the drop. Once billed as one of the PSL’s boldest projects, the Prophet Walter Magaya-owned side now finds itself caught in a storm that stretches far beyond the pitch.
The “Miracle Boys,” as they are known, sit 17th on the 18-team log with 29 points from 29 matches. They are two points behind Green Fuel and three behind Dynamos. Their on-field struggles have raised questions that cut deep into the heart of the club.
Is Magaya still hands-on with Yadah? Could their troubles mirror wider cracks in the project?
At a time when the man of the cloth should be enjoying the fruits of his investments, everything he built appears to be under threat.
Magaya is the owner of The Heart Stadium, a facility that has hosted PSL games and recently staged Cosafa Under-17 fixtures. Its B-Arena is home to Zimbabwe Women’s Premier Soccer League matches, while the adjoining hotel has hosted the Warriors and women’s premiership clubs.
Yadah also carved out a reputation for nurturing and reviving careers. Tanaka Shandirwa, Tanaka Chikumba, Shingirayi Masukuta, Takunda Vareta and Anotidaishe Gwatidzo all came through the club. Big names like Khama Billiat, Evans Rusike, Tafadzwa Rusike and Edmore Sibanda used the platform to reignite their careers.
But the foundation is shaking. Magaya is reportedly on the verge of losing both the Heart Stadium and Yadah Hotel in ongoing legal battles.
According to court notices:
“Sale Number: SH 3294/25 Li Xiu Yun versus Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries… in relation to land situated in the district of Salisbury called Stand 168 of Prospect, Waterfalls,” reads part of the notice.
Another states:
“Sale Number: SH 3298/25 Getbucks Microfinance Bank Limited vs Planet Africa Private Limited, Walter Magaya, Tendai Magaya and Deliverance Ministries… in relation to land called Reminder of Stand 166 Prospect, Waterfalls.”
If the State sells these properties, Yadah could be rendered homeless. The PSL would also lose a key stadium.
For Yadah, it would mean hiring another home ground, most likely Rufaro, a move that would drain finances already stretched thin.
The crisis doesn’t end there. The club has been fined US$5 000 after a board member allegedly assaulted goalkeeper, Godknows Gurure. The same official was handed a US$4 000 fine, a one-year ban from football business, and barred from attending matches under PSL jurisdiction.
“Yadah were also found guilty of contravening the PSL Rules and Regulations and were fined US$5 000 together with the costs of the hearing, payable within 15 days,” the PSL ruled.
Yadah’s campaign has been chaotic. They began the year under a Fifa-imposed transfer ban. Coach Ikabort Masocha was demoted to assistant when Takaendesa Jongwe took charge, only for Jongwe to be sacked last week after a 2-1 loss to TelOne. Brenna Msiska has since stepped in on an interim basis.
Before his dismissal, Jongwe admitted the club’s position was perilous.
“We have made our lives very difficult. At this stage, you do not want to drop points like that,” he said. “In the last five games, we need at least 10 points. We just hope that other teams drop points too so that our chances of survival don’t diminish.”
Yadah’s fight for survival continues this week at Mandava, where they face FC Platinum in a must-win tie. For a team once seen as Magaya’s dream project, the nightmare now looms large, with demotion and the possible collapse of everything built around it.
