When CAPS United announced a US$4.3 million sponsorship with the little known financial entity Green Dollar Coin in September, fans believed the Harare giants had finally secured the lifeline they had long sought. The deal promised new team buses, improved player welfare, youth development programs, and a hefty annual payout.

But barely a month later, the partnership is unraveling. Green Dollar Coin’s Harare offices have gone silent, leaving dozens of workers unpaid or partially paid. Some former employees say they received just one payment and in Bitcoins, not US dollars as promised.

Documents seen indicate that employees in Digital Marketing and Data Capturing were hired on short-term contracts with salaries ranging from US$450 to US$570 per month. Street marketers were promised US$250. Since August, most staff have received only a single payment in digital currency, with no cash settlements.

“We couldn’t use the coins for anything,” said one former employee. “We complained, but we were told to be patient. Later, we were asked to stay home while paperwork was being ‘sorted out.’”

When staff pressed for answers, Green Dollar Coin president Noel Mavura allegedly claimed the company was still seeking registration with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ). He offered employees a US$2 daily transport allowance, which they rejected, and weeks later, told them to stay home entirely. Contracts are set to expire at the end of October, with no salaries or settlements in sight.

The RBZ has confirmed that neither Green Dollar Coin nor Green Dollar Development Bank is a registered financial institution in Zimbabwe. “We have not received any application from such an entity,” the central bank said, warning that operating without registration is a criminal offence. Only 19 banks and roughly 300 microfinance institutions are currently licensed in the country.

Claims that the company was regulated in Lesotho were also denied by the Central Bank of Lesotho. Meanwhile, Mavura reportedly purchased a house in an upmarket Harare suburb, paid a US$10 000 lobola, and travelled to Kenya with his new wife under the pretext of meeting investors all while employees went unpaid.

A small number of workers remain at Green Dollar’s offices, still accepting public deposits, raising fears of a possible financial con. Lawyer Similo Nkiwane said employees have a strong legal case. “These contracts are legally binding. The employer must honour them or face action in Labour Court. Operating without RBZ registration is also a criminal matter,” she said.

The original sponsorship deal had been unveiled with fanfare: a US$1.2 million annual payout over three years, US$100 000 for activations and performance bonuses, and two new team buses. But with the legal status of Green Dollar Coin in question, the arrangement now hangs in the balance.

“When the deal was announced, it was presented as Green Dollar Development Bank from Lesotho,” said one source. “When doubts emerged, the name suddenly changed to Green Dollar Coin.” CAPS United management later described the discrepancy as a “mix-up in naming,” yet no official funds have been disbursed.

The RBZ has urged the public to exercise caution. “Zimbabweans must be wary of unregistered financial operators and report any suspicious entities immediately,” the bank said.

For now, the promise of Green Dollar Coin appears to be fading. Unpaid workers, a phantom registration, and a football club still waiting for millions leave one pressing question: Was the CAPS United deal ever genuine, or was it a well-packaged scam from the start?

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has confirmed that the senior men’s national team, the Warriors, will face Algeria and Qatar in international friendly matches during the upcoming FIFA window as part of preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) set for December.

The announcement was made by ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi in Harare on Thursday following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the association and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, represented by Permanent Secretary Moses Mhike.

Magwizi said the choice of opponents was strategic, aimed at providing the Warriors with competitive tests ahead of the continental showpiece.

“We wanted fixtures that truly test our mettle,” said Magwizi. “Algeria and Qatar represent the calibre of opposition we must face to measure our readiness for AFCON, and the choice of these friendlies was deliberate.”

The matches are expected to help the technical team assess player combinations, tactical systems, and overall team cohesion before the AFCON finals.

ZIFA said the fixtures reflect its commitment to ensuring the Warriors receive quality preparation and international exposure in line with the association’s vision of “performance, pride, and professionalism.”

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will see football played in schools throughout the year starting in 2026.

ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi and the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Dr. Moses Mhike signed the agreement in Harare, marking what both described as a major step towards reviving grassroots football in the country.

Magwizi said the initiative will help identify and develop young talent from an early age while giving both boys and girls a structured football program under the school system. “This partnership is about building a future for Zimbabwean football. Schools are where the next generation of stars will be discovered,” he said.

Dr. Mhike hailed the partnership as a milestone in integrating sports and education. “Football will now be part of school life across the country. This program will promote discipline, teamwork and physical health among learners,” he said.

Under the agreement, schools will run year-round football calendars, with teachers trained as coaches and competitions introduced at district and provincial levels. ZIFA will provide technical support, coaching materials and help identify talented players.

The initiative will begin with pilot programs in selected schools in 2026 before expanding nationwide. Both institutions said they aim to restore Zimbabwe’s tradition of producing top footballers through the school system, with a focus on equal opportunities for girls.