Chivayo Freezes Warriors’ Bonuses Pending FIFA Probe
Businessman and ZIFA benefactor Wicknell Chivayo has frozen the Warriors’ US$250,000 AFCON bonus, citing a cloud of match-fixing allegations hanging over Zimbabwe’s final group-stage match against South Africa.
Chivayo, who had pledged the quarter-million-dollar morale booster ahead of the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, said the payout will now be withheld “until the truth is established.”
Zimbabwe crashed out of the tournament with just a single point after losing 2–1 to Egypt, drawing 1–1 with Angola, and falling 3–2 to Bafana Bafana.
But it was the South Africa defeat marked by three soft, avoidable goals that triggered suspicion and a formal petition to FIFA.
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Posting on X, Chivayo said he would not proceed with the payment under a cloud of doubt.
“Following the Warriors’ early AFCON EXIT, I had pledged to give them US$250,000 in CASH to uplift their morale,” he wrote.
“However, upon learning of a petition submitted to FIFA alleging match fixing in the final game against South Africa, I felt it prudent to temporarily withhold disbursement pending the results of the formal enquiry.”
He asked that the money be secured under a ZIFA trust, only to be released once FIFA or another competent authority makes a definitive ruling.
“You can only disburse the funds to them ONLY once FIFA or any relevant authority has issued a definitive ruling… Regardless of the outcome, the funds shall remain earmarked exclusively for football development purposes.”
