Luis Figo could help Bosso, Esigodini

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HIGHLANDERS Football Club and the Esigodini community could benefit from Portuguese football great Luis Figo’s philanthropy.

HIGHLANDERS Football Club and the Esigodini community could benefit from Portuguese football great Luis Figo’s philanthropy after his hosts in Bulawayo last week recommended them for assistance.

NDUDUZO TSHUMA

Figo landed at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport on Thursday in the company of South African businessman Gayton McKenzie. Before his departure the following day, he declared that he had fallen in love with Bulawayo.

Figo’s host Reverend Lot Mpofu of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA), said the former Real Madrid and Barcelona star had asked about areas where he could assist financially.

The former star spent most of his time on Thursday at Happy Valley Mine in Esigodini which is owned by Mpofu.

“He asked what areas would need assistance and we indicated Tennyson Hlabangana Secondary School and the two primary schools in the area,” the businessman and part-time pastor told Southern Eye in an exclusive interview.

“We also mentioned Highlanders Football Club and the elderly in the community who need food assistance.”

Mpofu said Figo had not made up his mind on investment opportunities in the country, but promised to return soon.

“It was the first time seeing him. I had been following his football career and it never occurred to me that one day we would meet face to face,” he said.

“We had never made any contact, but he came through a friend Gayton McKenzie who usually visits the country,” Mpofu who was accompanied by his wife Ntombizodwa to the Southern Eye offices, added.

“They said they were looking for investment opportunities in mining. McKenzie told us that Figo had told him he was looking for investment opportunities and suggested Zimbabwe as an ideal destination.

“Figo did not specify exactly how he would make his investment saying he would come back soon.”

Mpofu’s wife, Ntombizodwa, said initially they had not believed McKenzie when he told them he would bring Figo to Zimbabwe.

“We did not believe it until we heard that they had landed at the airport,” she said. “That is when we got to believe that Figo was actually visiting us. It was such an honour.”

Mpofu said he has been running Happy Valley Mine since 1996.

“I am a full-time miner and part-time reverend at the city centre branch of the UCCSA church,” he said.