Billionaire Strive Masiyiwa denies interest in South Africa’s SuperSport United FC

Strive Masiyiwa, a Zimbabwean billionaire and one of Africa’s richest men, has denied having an interest in acquiring SuperSport United, a top-flight South African club.

In response to reports that he is on the verge of acquiring the club, Masiyiwa stated in a Facebook post that the reports are a fabrication.

“Over the last few weeks, there has apparently been a lot of social media chatter started by an article by a South African journalist, claiming that I have made a bid to buy a South African sports team called SuperSport United,” he said. “With all due respect to the club and its fans, I had actually never heard of them. I’m sure they must be a great club, but this is not my business.”

“I don’t go around trying to buy sports teams,” he added. “Even if you offered me the best sports team for $10, I would still not buy it because I don’t believe in buying businesses one knows nothing about. Sport is a serious business just like telecoms, or mining, or fashion; only I’m not into the business of sport. And anyone who has been on this platform knows that.”

The news comes nearly a week after a flurry of media reports that the country’s richest man was set to take over the club, subject to the approval of the Premier Soccer League Executive Committee.

This is not the first time the club has been linked to a possible sale.

Its management has repeatedly denied reports that it is negotiating the terms of an acquisition with other investors, claiming that the club is not for sale.

“SuperSport United have been made aware of the old repeated rumors and speculation regarding the potential sale of the club,” the management said. “Please note that the rumors are completely untrue. As stated when these false rumors started in 2019, the club is not for sale.”

The management added that “the club is seeking legal advice on the publications or individuals who are consistently issuing these false statements.”

The businessman’s net worth has recently dropped by $2.8 billion, from $4.4 billion on May 1 to $1.6 billion on July 11.

Masiyiwa’s fortune consists of his majority 52.85-percent stake in Econet Zimbabwe, the country’s largest telecom services provider, and a 30-percent stake in EcoCash Holdings, a diverse smart technology group that uses digital and financial technologies to create shared economies, drive financial inclusion, and promote economic empowerment.