Zimbabwe Saints factions unite Chikwata eyes return to Division One

THE Zimbabwe Saints factions have come together for the first time in many years to ensure they work as a united force and support their team as it returns to the Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League.

Saints took a year’s sabbatical in early 2025, with the Ishmael Kaguru faction writing to the then Lloyd Munhanga–led Zifa Southern Region League, requesting that the team’s franchise be reserved for 2026.

This followed Zifa’s stance that the club would not be accommodated because it was in arrears.
With the other faction, led by Tawanda Ruzive, failing to settle the arrears and pay the new season’s fees,

Saints were excluded from the programme, and their franchise was taken by one of the new teams.
A series of meetings held on Monday saw the parties finally come together for the sake of the Saints badge — a club with a rich history, significant success and association with some of the finest players to grace local stadia.

Having spent 2025 completely out of football, the break was a bitter pill to swallow for many. However, both parties shared a burning desire to see Chikwata return to where it belongs: on the football pitches of Zimbabwe.

In an interview yesterday morning, Kaguru was visibly elated. He was in meetings, overseeing the writing of letters to Zifa and other stakeholders, and working on the registration of the Zimbabwe Saints name to replace Makwika United, whose franchise they had acquired.

“I am glad we have managed to put our differences together and said Saints must be the winner. Right now, we are working on letters to send to Zifa and also pay the relevant fees,” said Kaguru.

The club already had some money lodged with Zifa, with a balance still to be paid to Makwika — matters that the now united Zimbabwe Saints family is working to resolve.

Doors had seemed shut for the club on Saturday after their issue was not discussed at the Zifa Southern Region Annual General Meeting in Esigodini.

Gibson Homela and Martin Mabvira had attended the meeting in the hope that the matter of the banked franchise would be raised. They were stunned when it did not come up for discussion, leaving them distraught.

Ruzive had his suspension lifted by the other parties, and they are now expected to withdraw another case against Vincent Pamire concerning the Deed of Trust he holds, whose legitimacy they had previously questioned.

The other faction had attended the meeting under the Makwika United banner after acquiring the franchise two weeks earlier. Negotiations for the name change were due to begin this week.

“I am excited that we have found each other. Nothing can beat a united Chikwata. We exist to play football and we will be back on the pitch ready to reclaim our place and stature in Zimbabwe football,” said Ruzive.

Both Kaguru and Ruzive invited supporters to rally behind the latest initiative aimed at preserving the legacy of one of the oldest and most successful football institutions in the country.
Pamire commended both parties for their unity. He said Saints was formed to play football and belonged on the pitches and in the stadia — not in boardrooms.

He called on the parties to reorganise the club’s structures, emphasising the importance of a defined membership base for the future.

“Congratulations to the guys for seeing unity as the most viable option. Saints is a team with a great history and legacy, for us as Zimbabwe Saints to ride over our egos and unity, is key to reviving our club for generations to come.

“We have been there, It is time we set a foundation for generations to come, a properly run club, active on the pitch with membership is what will take us forward. Am happy we have agreed to put behind our differences and let Saints be the winner. I will render all the support they need for the club to progress and I find myself happy and looking forward to watching the Saints marching,” said Pamire.