Lovemore Dube [email protected]
ZIMBABWE Saints have secured their place in the 2027 Zifa Southern Region Division One League, an achievement that has renewed optimism within the Chikwata family, who believe the club can rebuild and eventually return to the Premier Soccer League.
Club chairman Tawanda Ruzive told Zimpapers Sports Hub that the focus was now firmly on the future, with lessons learnt during a difficult 2026 season expected to provide a foundation for the club’s revival.
Ruzive said experience had been one of the biggest factors behind what he described as a successful campaign by the club’s own standards, particularly given the financial challenges they faced throughout the season.
Going into this weekend’s fixtures, Saints are 12th on the log and are expected to improve their position after being awarded three points through a walkover following the withdrawal of Mosi Rovers, whom they were scheduled to face.
Ruzive described the campaign as particularly challenging because the club operated without sponsorship, relying largely on the sacrifices of individuals, players and the technical team to fulfil their league commitments.
“We travelled this year. It has been a very difficult year because we were not well resourced. I would like to give thanks to my technical team and the players; they were hardly paid. We would give them even US$10 to keep them going, but they kept on fighting,” said Ruzive.
He praised the players for their strong finish to the season, which has seen the club collect 12 points from their last four matches.
Ruzive said the sacrifices made throughout the year demonstrated the strength of the Zimbabwe Saints brand and the community’s determination to preserve one of the country’s historic football institutions.
“So many sacrificed for Brand Zimbabwe Saints during the year. The kind of commitment exhibited the community’s love for the badge, a commitment to the revival of a giant, a club which is very much part of the Zimbabwe football DNA.
“It was good at this stage that we get committed cadres to work and ensure there is a franchise in Division One going into 2027. It is the starting point going forward,” he said.
The chairman said the players deserved credit for fighting to keep the club in the league, adding that growing goodwill behind the scenes was providing grounds for optimism ahead of next season.
He also revealed that discussions with prospective funders were progressing positively, raising hopes that the club could secure the financial backing needed to strengthen its operations.
“No one gave us a chance to survive, but we have survived. We have got so many interested parties who want to help Chikwata. Remember, this is a community team; it belongs to the people. People were watching whether Chikwata was going to survive,” said Ruzive.
He acknowledged that internal divisions had previously affected the club but said efforts to reconcile differences were bearing fruit, with trustees increasingly united around the shared objective of restoring Zimbabwe Saints to its former standing.
“Differences have been ironed out, everyone is focused on players coming and assisting,” he said.
Beyond strengthening the playing squad, Saints are also looking at developing their infrastructure, with Ruzive revealing that the club has sufficient land at its Queens Park East clubhouse to accommodate additional facilities and improve existing amenities.
He said a prospective sponsor was ready to support the refurbishment of the clubhouse, which could become an important part of the club’s broader revival plans.
Two-time league champions and Chibuku Cup winners, Zimbabwe Saints have endured nearly two decades outside the Premiership, despite their rich history and contribution to the development of Zimbabwean football.
Founded in 1931, the club will approach its centenary in 2031, and Ruzive, together with board of trustees chairman Ishmael Kaguru, wants to mark the milestone with Chikwata competing in the top-flight league.
“We are one of the oldest and most successful football clubs in the country. We want to celebrate this milestone with a Zimbabwe Saints that will be playing in the Premiership,” said Ruzive.
The club’s illustrious history includes several celebrated players, among them Agent Sawu, Ronald Sibanda, Ebson Muguyo, Gibson Homela, Henry McKop, Ephraim Chawanda, the late John Sibanda and William Sibanda.
For Saints, surviving the drop is therefore more than a short-term achievement; it provides an opportunity to rebuild unity, attract investment and begin the journey towards restoring the club to the top tier of Zimbabwean football.
