Zapu leader Sibangilizwe Nkomo has urged political and corporate actors to stop capturing football clubs, saying sport is a unifying force that should be protected from manipulation.
His remarks follow claims by businessman Wicknell Chivayo that he is prepared to fund the salary of Highlanders coach on condition the club appoints Warriors legend Benjani Mwaruwari head coach.
Chivayo made the offer after meeting Mwaruwari and former Warriors defender Harlington Shereni.
He said he had formally submitted a proposal to Highlanders leadership, offering to underwrite Mwaruwari’s remuneration package should the club consider him for the role.
Chivayo said the offer would not stand if Highlanders appointed someone else, although his US$1 million financial support to the club would remain.
In a statement, Nkomo called for the freedom of football and other sporting disciplines from political and corporate manipulation.
“Sport plays a critical role in bringing our nation together. Despite our polarised political environment, we have seen Zimbabweans rising above their differences to unite under the big banner of sport, particularly football,” Nkomo said.
“We cannot ignore reports of tenders and government contracts being manipulated, with the tainted proceeds of corruption being channelled to sports.”
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Nkomo said while his party welcomed investment and donations towards football as a popular sport, it opposed funding that came with conditions.
He added that football clubs should be encouraged to develop sustainable revenue streams and live within their means.
Nkomo said strict financial regulation should be enacted and enforced by the Zimbabwe Football Association.
"For example, the Financial Fair Play is a set of rules introduced by Uefa in 2009 to ensure European clubs operate within their means and promote fair competition. We need such rules here," Nkomo said.
"The unregulated injection of hefty sums of money into cherry-picked football teams by the likes of Chivayo disturbs the natural flow of talent and organic growth of local football clubs. We end up having elitist clubs that are moneyed, prevailing over ordinary teams with modest financial resources."
Mwaruwari, 46, enjoyed a high-profile playing career in Europe and South Africa before moving to coaching. His most recent job was at Ngezi Platinum Stars in 2022.
He holds a Uefa A Licence and has been working on his Uefa Pro Licence — the level required to coach in the top flight in Zimbabwe.
