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101 Reasons why Prophet Walter Magaya is the saviour of Zimbabwean football

Staff Writer

FROM Left: Minister of Sport Kirsty Coventry, President Emmerson Mnangagwa (Centre) and Prophet Walter Magaya at the commissioning of the state of art The Heart Stadium last December

IN recent weeks there have been growing calls for Prophet Walter Magaya to throw his hat into the race for the Zifa presidency.

The latest football constituency to add their voice to those calls were the Women Soccer League who pleaded with him to step into the race following the successful hosting of the inaugural Heart Women Soccer Tournament.

As the Prophet weighs his options ahead of the expected announcement of his final decision in October, here are 101 things he has done for local football and sports in general over the course of the last two decades.

  1. 2005 – He demonstrated his early dedication to sports development by funding local grassroots football tournaments in the community of Chitungwiza.
  2. 2005 – 2008 – Served as Technical Director and Sports Administrator at AGS Chitungwiza FC.
  3. 2008 – He became an IT Administrator for Gunners Football Club, a local team in Zimbabwe.
  4. 2009 – Gunners Football Club made history by winning the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League while Prophet Magaya was an IT Administrator there.
  5. 2010 – Gunners Football Club went on to take part in the esteemed CAF Champions League in Africa with Prophet Magaya being a part of the administrative team at the club.
  6. 29 June 2024 – Quote about Prophet Magaya from Willard Katsande, former Gunners, Warriors and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder – “His passion to make Zim football better has been praiseworthy, something I saw during the days I worked with him at Gunners. He was a key figure when Gunners won the championship in 2009”
  7. 2009-2010 – He played a key role in marketing players like Willard Katsande, Ovidy Karuru, Carlington Nyadombo, and Zhaimu Jambo, who subsequently enjoyed successful careers outside of Zimbabwe.
  8. He established Yadah Gunners in 2013, investing $600,000 to support the entire project.
  9. 9 September 2014 – The Northern Region Division One tournament, sponsored by Prophet Magaya with US$30,000, had its funds received by the then ZIFA Northern Region Chairman, the late Willard Manyengavana.
  10. 18 August 2015 – Prophet Magaya, donated US $40,000 worth of kits to all the provincial soccer teams participating in the youth games.
  11. During Cuthbert Dube’s time as ZIFA President, Prophet Magaya consistently offered financial backing in the tens of thousands for all national teams.
  12. 12 April 2015 – Availed a US $28,000 sponsorship for the Mighty Warriors
  13. 12 April 2015 – Prophet Magaya stepped in to assist ZIFA by servicing the $67,000 debt owed to former Warriors coach, Brazilian-born Valinhos, thus avoiding a FIFA ban.
  14. 12 April 2015 – on the same day, Prophet Magaya spent tens of thousands of dollars to service the debt owed by ZIFA.
  15. 14 May 2015 –   Prophet Magaya donated US$ 54,000 to cover the Warriors’ expenses in South Africa for COSAFA.
  16. 22 May 2015 – Played significant role by providing accommodation worth US $65,000 and funding for the Mighty Warriors ahead of a crucial Olympic qualifier match against Zambia
  17. 12 June 2015 –Provided a last-minute rescue package for the Warriors by paying the players and technical staff their allowances and match fees ensuring that the senior national team could fulfil their 2017 Nations Cup tie against Malawi.
  18. 7 September 2015 – Provided US $50,000 to ensure the Warriors played in their Nations Cup Qualifier against Guinea after the team had gone on strike over unpaid allowances.
  19. 2016 – Yadah FC was created from Yadah Gunners and in their first season won the Eastern Region Division One Title and gained promotion to the domestic topflight
  20. 2017 to Present Date – Yadah FC have been present in the Premier Soccer League continuously.
  21. Yadah FC National Team Representation – over the years, Yadah FC has contributed players that have been called up for national duty such as Leroy Mavunga, Jimmy Dzingai, Lennox Mucheto and Khama Billiat.
  22. 2013 to Present Date –In addition, Prophet Walter Magaya’s dedication to sports is evident in his support for the Yadah Queens women’s football team.
  23. In January 2017, he sought permission to upgrade Chibuku Stadium to world-class standards, but the Chitungwiza Council rejected his proposal.
  24. 2017 – After being blocked by Chitungwiza Town Councillors in his attempt to renovate Chibuku Stadium, he turned to Gwanzura, only to face the same challenges there as well.
  25. 6 December 2019 – Prophet Magaya made a request to assist in the maintenance of the National Sports Stadium (free of charge) by providing equipment and manpower to fix the bumpy turf.
  26. 13 June 2017 – Before their 3-0 victory against Liberia, Prophet Magaya hosted the Warriors for a two-week camp in the VVIP section of Yadah Hotel at a cost of US $120,000.
  27. 13 June 2017 – The Warriors received a US $50,000 bonus from Prophet Magaya as a gesture of appreciation.
  28. 29 June 2017 – Former Zimbabwe captain Benjani Mwaruwari visited the Yadah Hotel Complex in Harare to express his gratitude to Prophet Magaya for accommodating the Warriors prior to their 2019 AFCON qualifier against Liberia.
  29. 13 July 2017 – The Warriors lodged at Yadah Hotel before their CHAN qualifier against Namibia, incurring a cost of US $65,000.
  30. 1 September 2017 – Then ZIFA president Dr. Philip Chiyangwa highlighted Prophet Magaya’s crucial role in helping him manage the challenges of improving Zimbabwean football.
  31. 8 November 2017 – Prophet Magaya was designated as the chief liaison officer for the Zimbabwe Legends team for their exhibition match against the Barcelona Legends at the National Sports Stadium.
  32. 11 November 2017 – The Yadah Hotel Complex in Harare was the venue where Prophet Magaya hosted the Zimbabwe Legends and Barcelona Legends teams. He contributed US $138,000 to facilitate the allowances for the Zimbabwe Legends, Barcelona Legends and subsequently the World Legends.
  33. 12 November 2017 – Prophet Magaya played in the match against Barcelona Legends at the National Sports Stadium.
  34. 6 December 2017 –Magaya funded the President’s Cup match between Zimbabwe and Zambia to celebrate His Excellency President Mnangagwa’s rise to power.
  35. 30 May 2018 – Prophet Walter Magaya commended coach Sunday Chidzambwa for selecting a stellar team for the COSAFA Cup. He has been a significant benefactor, providing financial and logistical support to the national team.
  36. 13 June 2018 – Prophet Magaya aimed to sponsor the COSAFA Cup, seeing it as a powerful vehicle for promoting unity and happiness across Southern Africa.  Magaya hosted the Warriors at his Yadah Hotel complex and promised financial incentives for their success.
  37. 20 June 2018 – World Class Legends Match: Prophet Magaya appeared as a Guest Player and netted a penalty when Zimbabwe Legends faced the World Legends at the National Sports Stadium. The World Legends team included stars like Gianluca Zambrotta, Fernando Morientes, and Ruben de la Red.
  38. 4 September 2018 – Prophet Magaya funded the entire cost of the Warriors’ training camp as they prepared for the resumption of their 2019 AFCON qualifiers at a cost of US $65,000
  39. 18 March 2019 – The Young Warriors decided to leave the ZIFA Village due to poor living conditions and moved to Prophet Magaya’s Yadah Hotel, which offered better facilities.
  40. 25 August 2019 – Prophet Magaya supported the Mighty Warriors by providing better accommodation ahead of their Olympic qualifier match against Zambia.
  41. 28 August 2019 – ZIFA praised Prophet Magaya for providing accommodation for the Mighty Warriors ahead of their Women Olympic qualifier against Zambia’s She-polopolo.
  42. August 2019 – Prophet Magaya’s support helped ZIFA save around $462,000 on national team expenses.
  43. 28 August 2019 – Magaya had earlier provided accommodation for the Warriors ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against Somalia.
  44. 27 June 2021 – Edmore ‘ZiKeeper’ Sibanda appreciated Prophet Magaya for the immense contribution he made to his career

STARTING FROM MARCH 2020, participation in international football contests significantly dropped, first because of the COVID-19 outbreak and later due to Zimbabwe’s suspension from international play by FIFA, which continued from February 2022 until July 2023.

His intervention ensured that the 27 players received their payments during their participation in the Regal Hotels Cup of Nations in Hong Kong.
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