A CEO’s journey from Bosso to Scottland

SATURDAY Chronicle’s News Editor, Stanford Chiwanga (SC), recently had the opportunity to sit down with Ronald Moyo (RM), the newly appointed CEO of Scottland FC. In an engaging and insightful conversation, they discussed Moyo’s vision for the club, his strategic plans, and the challenges he anticipates. Below are some key excerpts from their interview:

SC: Can you share a bit about your journey from Highlanders to Skyz Metro and now to Scottland FC?

RM: My journey has been an exciting one. I began my career in football administration at Bantu Rovers FC before joining Highlanders FC, where I gained valuable experience and skills over an interesting six-year period. I then moved to Fairtalk Communications, where I continued to develop my expertise as a leader. Now, I’m thrilled to be leading Scottland FC as their CEO, and I’m looking forward to this new challenge.

SC: How and why did Scottland FC approach and appoint you as their CEO?

RM: I would like to assume the club was looking for a professional who is innovative, energetic, and ambitious, with experience and a track record in football administration. They sought someone with a background in club management, marketing, and communications. I am not perfect, but I believe I am not too far from the person the club needed to take up this challenge.

SC: What motivated you to transition from media to football management?

RM: My passion for football and my desire to make a meaningful impact on the sport drove my transition. Dr Lyton Ncube, one of my lecturers at Midlands State University, noticed my passion and took the time to sit down with me and convince me to make a career out of something I was passionate about. That’s where it all started. Along the way, I met people who further encouraged me to pursue sports administration as a career.

SC: What is your vision for Scottland FC as it enters the top league?

RM: My vision is to establish Scottland FC as a competitive and respected sporting brand. This can be achieved by building a strong squad to compete in the top-flight league, developing a loyal fan base, implementing a vibrant youth policy, and creating a sustainable business model that will ensure the club’s long-term success.

SC: What do you foresee as the biggest challenges in your new role, and how do you plan to address them?

RM: Managing expectations.

SC: What are your short-term and long-term goals for the club?

RM: In the short term, we aim to establish a competitive team, set up youth teams, develop our brand, and build a loyal fan base. Long-term, we envision Scottland FC becoming a dominant force in Zimbabwean football, competing for domestic and international honours, and building a sustainable business model to ensure the club’s commercial success.

SC: How would you describe your management style, and how do you think it will benefit Scottland FC?

RM: There are different styles of management, and I believe all are applicable in different situations and set-ups. However, I believe in a visionary style of leadership — where you mobilise people towards a vision. At Scottland FC, our leadership style is centred around a clear and compelling vision for the club’s future. We are committed to creating a culture of excellence, innovation, and teamwork that will drive our success on and off the pitch.

SC: How do you plan to engage with the local community and fans to build a strong support base?

RM: We will engage with the local community through outreach programmes, charity initiatives, and fan events. We are already leveraging social media and partly traditional media, as you have seen with our partnership with 3Ktv. We want to fully leverage traditional media and match-day experiences to build a loyal fan base.

SC: Who or what has been your biggest inspiration in your career?

RM: My biggest inspiration has been FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta. I have always been fascinated by his leadership style, his vision for the club, and his ability to balance the business and sporting aspects of the organisation. The way he transformed Barcelona into a global brand while maintaining the club’s values and traditions is truly inspiring. What I admire most about Laporta is his commitment to developing young talent, his focus on creating a strong team culture, and his willingness to take calculated risks to achieve success. His leadership has been instrumental in Barcelona’s dominance on the pitch over the years, and I believe there are many lessons that can be applied to our own context at Scottland FC. While I have had the privilege of learning from local football administrators who have played a significant role in my development, Laporta’s vision, leadership, and achievements have been a constant source of inspiration for me.

SC: What advice would you give to aspiring football managers and executives?

RM: My advice would be to gain as much experience as possible, develop a strong network, and stay up to date with industry trends and best practices. It’s also essential to be passionate, dedicated, and resilient in the face of challenges.

SC: How do you see the future of football in Zimbabwe, and what role do you think Scottland FC will play in it?

RM: I am optimistic about the future of football in Zimbabwe. With the emergence of new teams and investments in the sport, I believe we will see significant growth and improvement. Scottland FC will play a key role in this growth, competing at the highest level, developing young players, and contributing to the sport’s development.

SC: Are there any plans to develop youth programmes or academies under your leadership?

RM: Yes, we are committed to developing youth programmes and academies. We believe in investing in the next generation of players and providing opportunities for young Zimbabweans to develop their skidills and pursue their dreams.

SC: Scottland has recently acquired a number of high-profile and experienced players. Given this significant investment in talent, do you believe the club has the potential to win the league in its debut season?

RM: While we are happy with our technical team and our player recruitment, we are also realistic about the challenges that come with competing in the top flight. Our primary focus is on ensuring that we are well prepared and competitive in every match, and then we will take it from there.

We are not looking to make any bold predictions or put unnecessary pressure on our technical team. Our goal is to make a positive impact, learn from our experiences, and build a strong foundation for future success.

Ultimately, the league title is a lofty goal, but we will take it one step at a time and see where the season takes us.