ZIFA president to snub Chivayo car

ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi is unlikely to accept a luxury vehicle gifted to him by businessman Wicknell Chivayo, as FIFA statutes are understood to bar him from receiving such a benefit.

Sources close to the association say Magwizi's hands are effectively tied by the FIFA Code of Ethics, given Chivayo's direct sponsorship links with Premier Soccer League clubs, including Scottland and Highlanders. Accepting the gift would potentially place the ZIFA president in violation of global football regulations.

Article 21 of the FIFA Code of Ethics (2023) prohibits individuals bound by the Code from offering or accepting improper advantages. It stipulates that gifts or benefits may only be exchanged if they are of symbolic or trivial value. The vehicle in question, a 2026 Range Rover Sport D350 Autobiography Limited Edition valued at about US$250,000, clearly exceeds that threshold.

Although Magwizi is said to appreciate Chivayo's continued support for local football, insiders indicate that compliance with FIFA regulations will likely compel him to decline the offer. Chivayo has emerged in recent years as one of Zimbabwean football's most prominent benefactors, providing support to the national team and several top-flight clubs.

The businessman recently handed over a luxury team bus to Highlanders as part of a broader support package promised for the 2026 season. He has also been instrumental in backing Scottland FC, including supporting the appointment of head coach Norman Mapeza and team manager Peter Ndlovu. In addition, Chivayo pledged to cover former Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari's benefits during his tenure as Highlanders coach and has supported the club's rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2026 campaign.

Despite the gift controversy, ZIFA officials reportedly hold Chivayo in high regard, citing the significant impact his financial backing has had on reviving the game.

"The association values him highly because of the impact he has had on football, but this situation presents a major challenge," said a source familiar with the matter. "It has also become a learning curve for the association and stakeholders, especially in understanding football governance protocols."

The source added that while football benefits greatly from corporate partners and benefactors, strict international regulations must still be observed. "Many stakeholders are not fully aware of some FIFA statutes, so the association has to find compliant ways that allow football to benefit without breaching the rules," the source said.

In a recent social media post, Chivayo praised Magwizi for what he described as restoring order and professionalism at ZIFA, citing the revival of governance systems, the rehabilitation of the secretariat and improved transparency.

"For the first time in many years, Zimbabwe's football mother body is functioning under an organised and transparent administrative structure," Chivayo wrote.

The situation mirrors past high-profile cases involving FIFA's ethics rules. In 2014, the FIFA Ethics Committee ordered officials to return luxury Parmigiani watches worth more than US$26,000 each, which had been distributed by the Brazilian Football Confederation during the World Cup. Although the gifts were given in good faith, FIFA ruled that they breached ethical guidelines.

Similarly, unless there is an unexpected change, Magwizi is expected to forgo the vehicle gift in order to remain fully compliant with FIFA regulations.