BY SPORTSCAST WRITER
HARARE – Modest Zimbabwean club Yadah FC, who pulled off a major coup last week by signing Khama Billiat, have promised to parade yet another big-name signing on Thursday alongside the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs talisman.
Yadah landed the signature of Billiat after Dynamos, Zimbabwe’s biggest and most successful club, had appeared to be at the front of the queue for the 33-year-old skilful attacker.
Billiat sensationally returned to his native Zimbabwe after he didn’t secure a deal in South Africa following his exit from Chiefs at the end of last season, having declined to take a pay cut in a new deal that would have kept him at Naturena for another season.
“The football star Khama Billiat shall be unveiled in a glamorous way alongside other talented Yadah players who will represent the team on the field with passion and dedication this season,” Yadah FC said in a release on Sunday.
The club added that another top player will also be introduced during the ceremony, which will be open to the public and will include a dinner party later in the evening.
“One huge surprise – another big player,” continued the statement. “Yes, yes, yes! Yadah FC will unveil another huge player on the day!”
South African football website FARPost had on Sunday linked two other Zimbabwean former DStv Premiership stars, Kuda Mahachi and Evans Rusike, with moves to Yadah to join Billiat.
But the former Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United winger Mahachi completed his return home to Zimbabwe on Sunday by signing for Manica Diamonds following a short and unsuccessful spell in Ghana.
It leaves 33-year-old striker Rusike, at least for now, as possibly the other “big name” on Yadah’s radar. Rusike has been club-less since leaving Moroka Swallows mid-2023.
Is Evans Rusike the other ‘big player’ joining Yadah FC?
Harare side Yadah were officially established in 2013 although the club had initially been formed in 2005 as Gunners before it changed ownership and subsequently is name.
It’s a small team in history and standing, but the club is owned by Prophet Walter Magaya, a wealthy preacher who has made a fortune through his Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries, one of Zimbabwe’s biggest churches.
Yadah is also sponsored by Zimbabwean ruling party Zanu-PF politician Scott Sakupwanya, a controversial gold dealer and well-known socialite in the country who flaunts his wealth by showing off stacks of cash and bars of pure gold.
At Yadah, Billiat becomes the highest paid player in Zimbabwe, earning a monthly salary of US$5 000 (around R97 000).
The Thursday unveiling will take place at Yadah’s new home, Heart Stadium, an eye-catching 5 000-capacity ground built at rapid pace by Magaya last year and officially opened by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
