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THE famed “million dollar deal” between Wicknell Chivhayo and Zifa (read Philip Chiyangwa) has been a subject of much scrutiny by yours truly.
On a day I didn’t even have the bond coin needed to board a commuter omnibus to Kambuzuma — yes that is where I am staying now, next door to Pathisani Sibanda — Chivhayo took to Instagram to gloat that he had “bought” a new car for Warriors coach Kallisto Pasuwa.
“I just paid a quick small 69 thousand dollars yesterday for this car which I am wholeheartedly giving to the national team coach on his return from CHAN,” Chivhayo said on the social platform.
Two things struck me.
One, the vehicle looks familiar to the ones Chivayo’s company recently bought for some power project they have been tasked with executing.
Two, for a guy who always backs his claims with receipts, this one was a bit unusual from the chubby businessman.
Why the fuss VaShagare?
Well, some of us are keen to do the math and see if Chivhayo would have stuck to his word and channelled a million Benjamin Franklins to Zifa, in cash or kind, by the time Chiyangwa leaves office. I might be broke but certainly attention is something I can afford to pay! Look, I am not against someone helping out the national team or Zifa but we run the risk of being sold hot air.
Remember when Jonathan Mashingaidze used to throw figures at us as he sought to paint his former boss Cuthbert Dube as the Messiah who was single-handedly keeping local football afloat?
Mashingaidze, the Zifa chief executive who must have the nine lives of a cat, floated between $1,5 million and $2 million, depending on whom he was talking to.
A forensic audit that Chiyangwa promised “as soon as I get into office” will most certainly confirm the amount that Zifa owes Dube and expose Mashingaidze for the man that he is, or was.
A million dollars is big money and any such arrangement should come with an accompanying contract, that one page document signed between Chivhayo and PC last month lacks flesh.
It’s silent on key areas that the cliché “terms and conditions apply” captures.
The agreement signed on December 21, 2015 is silent on the car although point four says “other payments will be progressively released on request by Dr Phillip Chiyangwa during his tenure.”
Just like the ordinary fan, yours truly is also wondering what’s in it for Chivhayo, what’s the catch?
Companies sponsor to get mileage and what is Wicknell Chivhayo doing it for?
“You can be a billionaire, own a beautiful mansion and a private jet, drive nice cars but you still need to understand very clearly (that) success is measured by your ability to give and how many people you bless,” he said last week.
Well thank you Sir Wicknell for blessing Pasuwa and the millions of us who love the beautiful game but please bless us in a manner that does not urinate on good corporate governance principles.
And as you bless us, please cut the clowning, our football is serious business.
Yes, we Chan do it!
The Warriors owe us a big performance at the African Nations Championships and like Gideon Gono made famous — failure is not an option.
We have been through a lot — football wise — and Pasuwa and his men have the duty of turning our frowns into smiles. It’s quite realistic of a Zimbabwean football fan to expect the Warriors to lift that Chan trophy in Kigali on February 7.
Hopefully, the trend that sees local players getting snapped up by foreign clubs after the tournament continues because there are a number of lads who are ripe for a move to the big time in Pasuwa’s squad.
Go Warriors Go!
VaShagare exits the scene!
VaShagare is the founder of DeMbare DotComs and can be contacted on that Facebook page as well as the email shagare18area.gmail.com
Online Reporter