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Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE Saints, one of the most storied football clubs, could be handed a lifeline next week as legal representatives for the Bulawayo-based giants and ZIFA Southern Region prepare to meet in a crucial roundtable expected to shape the club’s future in Division One.
After weeks of silence, a flicker of hope has emerged for Chauya Chikwata, who were excluded from the 2024 league for failing to meet affiliation obligations.
As of March 25, Zimbabwe Saints had not paid their current season affiliation fees and still owed arrears from last year.
The ZIFA Southern Region Assembly, in response, voted them out alongside Victoria Falls-based Golden Lions, who had failed to pay anything before the deadline.
But a shift in tone from the football fraternity has since been observed. Clubs that once voted Zimbabwe Saints out now concede that emotions may have clouded judgment.
Some have even accused Saints’ leadership of arrogance during that fateful assembly.
Still, behind the scenes, Saints have been actively seeking recourse, exchanging formal communications with ZIFA. A breakthrough of sorts came on Wednesday, when the club received a conciliatory letter from ZIFA’s lawyers, Sengweni Legal Practice.
Yet, even amid the olive branch, a warning was issued.
“While we observe that Zimbabwe Saints Football Club does not dispute that they fell short of their obligations to the Southern Region League, we equally observe that Zimbabwe Saints Football Club themselves are not singing one song,” the lawyers wrote a veiled reference to internal divisions threatening the club’s cohesion.
Sources confirm that a splinter faction within the club is opposed to Zimbabwe Saints continuing to play altogether.
Club chairman Tawanda Ruzive, speaking through their legal representatives T. Hara and Partners, confirmed receipt of the letter and welcomed the gesture from ZIFA.
“We have received a letter from our lawyers and we are happy there is room for our pleas to be heard. The two parties, we are advised, will meet next week on Tuesday,” he said.
Ruzive remains hopeful that the talks will open the door for Zimbabwe Saints’ return, not just for the sake of today’s players, but in honour of the legends who built the club’s foundation.
“We want to preserve the legacy left by great men like former Vice President Joseph Msika, Ministers Oliver Munyaradzi and Herbert Ushewokunze, and football icons such as Gibson Homela, Ebson Muguyo, Andrew Kadengu, Musa Muzanenhamo, and Zebron Magorimbo,” he added.
ZIFA lawyers, while cautioning against escalation to the High Court, urged dialogue.
“Without much ado, I implore you to adopt the conciliatory route where all stakeholders are taken on board and an amicable solution which furthers the interests of football is targeted and possibly arrived at,” read their response.
Saints had earlier considered legal action to halt the start of the Southern Region fixtures. But for now, diplomacy appears to have won the day.
“It is our client’s wish, as custodians of the game and its rules in our region, to ensure that there is harmony and mutual efforts to promote football which benefits the youth, our future stars.”
For a club steeped in heritage, any path forward must walk in the footprints of greatness. Now, Saints must navigate boardroom diplomacy to reclaim their place on the pitch.
Online Reporter