Former Warriors coach Baltemar Brito has endorsed Prophet Healing Ministries and Yadah FC owner Prophet Walter Magaya to be the next ZIFA president.
Magaya is yet to publicly declare himself available for the ZIFA top post, but those close to him have confided to this publication that he is ready to throw his name into the hat for the elections which could be held before year end.
A number of high profile figures including Simba Bhora FC director Brighton "PanJap" Ushendibaba, former Premier Soccer League boss Twine Phiri, Caps United legend Alois Bunjira, veteran broadcaster Charles Mabika and UK based Marshal Gore are all rumored to be eyeing the vacant ZIFA president post.
However, Brito who also coached premier league giants Highlanders last year, believes Magaya is better suited and is the right man to revive the fortunes of Zimbabwe football after years of decay.
The Brazilian mentor becomes the second prominent person in a week to publicly back Magaya after former Warriors goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini also threw his weight behind the charismatic preacher.
Brito who was appointed the Warriors interim coach last year and took charge of the Warriors' opening 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Nigeria where he managed two draws, took to his official Facebook account to show his appreciation for Magaya.
The two draws remain the only points that Zimbabwe has managed to garner in the campaign after four rounds of matches.
"I'm doing this post because my feeling and nature is more stronger than anything else," wrote the veteran coach who has declared his love for Zimbabwe which he describe as his "second home."
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Brito paid a huge compliment on the quality of talent he saw in the country during his tenure with Highlanders and the Warriors.
He has worked in different countries and for top European clubs, including Porto and Chelsea where he was Jose Mourinho's assistant.
Brito was part of the Portuguese tactician's backroom staff, helping the two clubs to league titles.
"I look to Zimbabwe as one of the countries with more football talent that I worked with during my career as a football coach, was one of the best surprises during my lifetime even because of how good I felt there. As my second home country, I follow all news and movements related, since long time that I look for Prophet Magaya as one of the great minds and visionaries on Zimbabwe and because of it see him related with a position of ZIFA boss gives me hope that finally the football there can win another dimension. Let's have a hope that ZIFA after the elections are in good hands," added Brito who applied for the vacant Warriors coaching job but was surprisingly snubbed by the ZIFA Normalization Committee.
Many football fans and stakeholders are clamoring for Magaya's ascendancy to to the ZIFA presidency due to his passion for the development of Zimbabwe football.
Besides being a Warriors benefactor, Magaya also owns a premier league team Yadah Fc.
He also poured millions of dollars to build the Heart Stadium in WaterFalls, Harare, a facility that is being used to host top flight and Division One football.
It is this passion and the love for the local game that Magaya has consistently exhibited that has prompted Brito and Kapini to urge the charismatic preacher to run for the top office in Zimbabwe football.
“We can say whatever we want about Prophet Magaya but we can never take away the passion he has for local football and his love for the game is there for everyone to see with all the million-dollar investments he has made," Kapini said last week.
“I will be let down if Magaya doesn’t make himself available for the coming ZIFA elections because Zimbabwean football needs someone like him."
