YADAH FC says the arrival of three Brazilians at their club could be the start of bigger things for the ambitious PHD Ministries-owned team which has set its sights to compete in CAF competitions in the near future.
The club yesterday unveiled the three South Americans Deivid Pereira de Brito (20), João Pedro Marques Barcelos (20) and Juan Luciano Farias (21) at a glittering function held at their Yadah Hotel in Harare.
Yadah said the arrival of the trio, who signed two-year contracts, is a historic development in the country and are hoping the new players will bring the Samba flair to domestic football.
This is the first time a local team has managed to import players from South America.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Yadah chief executive officer Admire Mango said they will not tire in their bid to build a formidable side which will leave an indelible mark in Africa.
He also thanked the club's principal sponsor BetterBrands Jewellery, owned by businessman Scott Sakupwanya, for facilitating the deal to sign the Brazilians.
“We appreciate the help from our biggest sponsor boss Scott of Better Brands Jewellery who played a very big role in this,” Mango said. “It was a very expensive adventure, there was a lot of money involved to bring in these Brazilians to Zimbabwe, but he went out of his way to make sure that our team is strengthened.”
“This is big for Zimbabwe because their arrival brings competition in the league. This is historic, the first of its kind because as a country we are used to export players, but now we have imported Brazilians. This is a big gesture in the African and Zimbabwe football context. These are very good players and will change the complexion of the domestic football. With the finances that Scott and Prophet Walter Magaya (leader of PHD Ministries) has, this is only the beginning of bigger things. We can sign any player that we want in Africa and from every part of the world.”
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Despite playing arguably the best football in the local scene with its fast and precise passing game, Yadah FC have somehow started the season slowly.
But Mango is confident the arrival of the South Americans will tilt things in their favour.
“We will not be competing to make up numbers in the Premier League, but we can even fight for the championship. With these Brazilians we can win the championship and play in the CAF competitions next year,” he said.
Yadah chairperson, Everson Chatambudza, who was part of the delegation which travelled to Brazil to scout for the players, is happy with their find.
Pereira de Brito and Luciano Farias were both snapped from a Rio de Janeiro club called Cabofriense which plays in the fourth tier of the Brazilian football league, as well as in the Campeonato Carioca, the top tier of the Rio de Janeiro State football league.
João Pedro is joining from Madureira Sport Club which also competes in the top tier of the Rio de Janeiro State football league.
“We have been following these players for a long time. We are satisfied that they will suit the type of play we have here. Yadah FC plays the best football in the local league, the tiki taka type of football, and our hope is that the Samba Boys will help spice things up. We are certain the three will add value to the team,” Chatambudza said.
Yadah is at Mandava Stadium today to face FC Platinum, but the game has come too soon for the Brazilians who only arrived in Harare late this week.
