Grace Mugabe's effect on football

A CHARGED fortnight, which saw jabs flying from all corners, ended Friday with a breeze blowing through local football after Wicknell Chivayo decided to reopen his purse for the good of the Warriors.

And the genesis of this feel-good moment can be traced to Dubai where First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe found a motherly way to tell Chivayo the famous words – Stop It!

While only three people - Amai Mugabe, Robert Mugabe Jr and Chivayo - are privileged to know the exact words uttered, as well as the tone used at that dinner table in Dubai, the results of that engagement cannot be missed by anyone.

Kallisto Pasuwa is finally being paid, national soccer team players are breathing much easier, and Phillip Chiyangwa has passed another test of his Zifa presidency.

On Friday Chivayo handed over US$30 000 in cash to Chiyangwa for onward transmission to the Warriors and Mighty Warriors, and disclosed that he decided to reopen his purse after the First Lady ordered him to stop the charade and keep on supporting national causes.

The businessman had not taken kindly to a factual The Sunday Mail Sport report that Pasuwa had not been paid for two months.

He walked away with his deep pockets and threw tantrums.

However, a meeting with a woman of valour, a woman who is known to fearlessly call it as she sees it, saw Chivayo touching down at Harare International Airport last week minus the red mist of anger.

In a Facebook post made soon after a media briefing that saw him handing over the US$30 000, Chivayo gave an insight into how Dr Amai played a pivotal role in his decision to bounce back.

"The good news is during my recent interaction with Zimbabwe's mother she politely requested me to continue supporting the Warriors at all costs.

"As much as I tried to explain my side of the story she said 'you are all my children and I won't stoop so low and listen to the who said this and who said that.

"She encouraged me never to give up as well as to remain strong and expect criticism when executing national duty. She also strongly reprimanded me for recently attacking an honourable cabinet minister on social media," he posted.

The Honourable Minister Chivayo refers to is Higher and Tertiary Education chief Professor Jonathan Moyo, a man he targeted with an astonishing attack on after the Tsholotsho legislator highlighted that Zifa needed a corporate sponsor.

"Zifa can gladly go ahead and look for an official corporate sponsor but be rest assured of my best financial support for the 20 players and their coach at all times. I would also like to sincerely apologise to Her Excellency the First Lady and thank her for the advice and also publicly assure her that rain or sunshine I will do whatever it takes and make sure we qualify for Afcon.

"Like any other Zimbabwean, I am your son and I'm still young so sometimes I admit I do act childish but I'm sure this is exactly what they mean when they say mari inopengesa (money can make you crazy things)," Chivayo added.

With Chivayo back and NetOne reportedly angling to sponsor the Warriors, Chiyangwa can be cocky again.

"People may say whatever they want but PC has over-achieved, look at the results," boomed the property mogul over the phone yesterday.

"Guys, guys why are you always after controversy? The agreement is clear, this is an arrangement between my young brother and I … the only person who can ask about how the money is spent is Wicknell himself. That what I mean when I say it's my money… it has nothing to do with Zifa," said Chiyangwa.

All said and done, Go Warriors, Go!