Mighty Warriors coach gets new car from Chivayo…. but has no drivers licence

By Godknows Matarutse

Harare businessman Wicknell Chivayo on Monday reiterated his desire and commitment to see Zimbabwean football improve after handing over a brand new vehicle to Mighty Warriors coach Shadreck Mlauzi.

The Harare businessman, who has made his wealth in the renewable energy sector, lived up to his promise by handing over a Toyota Hilux double cab to Mlauzi.

Chivayo, who has become Zifa’s leading benefactor since Philip Chiyangwa took over as president last December, has pledged $1 million to help off-set the association’s debts.

He began by paying off former Warriors coach Tom Saintfiet’s debt of $150 000 and only last month he handed over another brand new Toyota Hilux double cab to Warriors coach Calisto Pasuwa.

“I remain committed to supporting both the Warriors and the Mighty Warriors. It is my hope to see them doing well in all the competitions they participate in,” Chivayo said.

Zifa president Chiyangwa paid tribute to the youthful businessman for the continued support.

“We are being sponsored again with this superb four-wheel drive double cab for the Mighty Warriors coach,” Chiyangwa said.

“We hope the coach is now more motivated to do well. He has done us proud already by leading the team to the Olympic Games. What I can say to the coach is to keep doing well because you can end up somewhere.”

While he may have led the Mighty Warriors to the Olympics Games qualification, Mlauzi failed to steer his car out of Chiyangwa’s business premises as he does not possess a valid drivers’ licence.

Mlauzi was caught offside after he was handed the keys to have a feel of his new vehicle only to confess to a number of guests present that he cannot drive.

However, Mlauzi had come with a driver to take care of business. But the lack of a drivers’ licence did not take away the joy from the former New Orleans coach.

“I am very delighted. I am so excited, I am out of words to explain the joy,” Mlauzi said.

“I really appreciate the gesture. I think I am a lucky man to come in the era of a president who cares about our concerns. I would want to assure you that we will carry the flag high. We will do well in the African Championships and at Rio.”

The Mighty Warriors are in camp to prepare for the African Women Championships qualifier next month against Tanzania.

The Mighty Warriors wrote their own piece of history by becoming the first football side in the country to qualify for the Olympic Games and will also be looking at qualifying for the African Women Championships.

The Mighty Warriors face Tanzania on March 6 in Dar-es-Salaam for the first leg of the African Women Championships before hosting the return leg two weeks later.

The winner between Zimbabwe and Tanzania will meet either Namibia or Zambia in the last qualifying round.Seven teams from the qualifiers will join hosts Cameroon from November 19 to December 3 for the tournament. Daily News