Ronald Chitiyo
| Ronald Chitiyo | |
|---|---|
 Image Via Soccer 24 | |
| Born | Ronald Chitiyo June 10, 1992 Harare |
| Other names | "Rooney" |
| Occupation |
|
| Parent(s) | Frank Chitiyo (father) |
| Awards | 2012 Soccer Star of the Year Second Runner-up |
Ronald "Rooney" Chitiyo is a Zimbabwean-born footballer who plays as a midfielder. He is well known for his dribbling skills and for scoring spectacular goals.
Background
Ronald Chitiyo was born on June 10, 1992, in Kuwadzana 5, Harare and grew up in Epworth.[1] He is the son of Frank Chitiyo, a former Division One player with Mhangura Football Club, and he states that he draws his inspiration from his dad.[1]
Career
Chitiyo started playing football when he was in grade four before joining Douglas Warriors in 2010. In 2011, he would join Monomotapa Football Club and go on to claim the 2012 Soccer Star of the Year second runner-up that season.
He would attend trials in South Africa at Orlando Pirates and Ajax Cape Town, facilitated by Edzai Kasinauyo, who is believed to have been his manager at the time.[2]
He returned to Monomotapa that season, as negotiations at the South African-based clubs were not favourable.
However, Chinomakwa Nani, known as Monoz by supporters, would be relegated at the end of the 2013 season and this would see Chitiyo joining Dynamos the following season.[3]
He was a part of Callisto Pasuwa's all-conquering squad that lifted the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League title a record fourth consecutive time.[4] At the end of the 2014 season, Chitiyo signed a 6-month contract with DeMbare.[5]
Chitiyo joined Harare City Football Club in December 2015 as a free agent on a one-year deal.[6]
He had given his former team Dynamos the preference but he decided to move on as the Glamour Boys’ offer was not appealing.
Chitiyo joined CAPS United towards the end of 2016 on a two-year deal after leaving Harare City.
Club Sportif Sfaxien
Chitiyo joined Tunisian club Club Sportif Sfaxien in August 2017 after an impressive performance during CAPS United’s CAF Champions League run that year.[7]
The Tunisian club reportedly acquired Chitiyo from CAPS United for $50 000 but reportedly failed to pay even a cent for the transfer of the forward.
As a result, Chitiyo decided against returning to Tunisia in January 2018 as he was also not paid what he had been promised by the club during his stay in the North African country.
Arrest
Chitiyo was arrested in January 2018 for assaulting his neighbour who failed to pay him money in Epworth.[8]
He allegedly teamed up with his brother and sister in assaulting Tafadzwa Madziya, 37, after he refused to give him $1 000 to cover medical bills.
Madziya claimed he had lost teeth after Chitiyo assaulted him for demanding more money from what they had agreed on out of a court settlement.
Chitiyo was in court again in November 2019, alongside his CAPS United teammates Dominic Chungwa and John Zhuwawu as well as an unnamed kit manager after they allegedly assaulted a Premier Soccer League security officer and Chicken Inn officials.[9]
The incident reportedly took place on 23 October 2019 at Barbourfields Stadium after the top-of-the-table clash between the Gamecocks and Makepekepe which the latter lost 0-1.
In December 2019, Chitiyo, Carlos Rusere, John Zhuwawo, and Dominic Chungwa were found not guilty of assaulting a referee by the Premier Soccer League disciplinary committee.[10]
The players’ acquittal, however, came after they each had paid $100 in admission of guilt fines at Mzilikazi Police Station CR 136/10/19 in Bulawayo.
Leaving CAPS United
Chitiyo left CAPS United in May 2022 following a dispute with the club’s hierarchy.
He was accused of being one of the ring leaders in the CAPS players’ strike which nearly led to the cancellation of their league match against Cranborne Bullets at the National Sports Stadium that same month.
Simba Bhora
Despite being forgiven by CAPS United, Chitiyo decided to leave the club to join ZIFA Northern Region Division One club Simba Bhora who were chasing promotion to the Premier Soccer League.
Chitiyo and his Simba Bhora teammates celebrated their promotion to the PSL after beating Commando Bullets 3-0 on 17 September 2022.
In January 2023, it was reported that Chitiyo had requested to leave Simba Bhora ahead of their maiden appearance in the country’s top flight.[11]
Gallery
Videos
Awards
Bob @ 91 Cup Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League Winners medal (2 times)
Teams Played For
- Douglas Warriors
- Monomotapa Football Club
- Dynamos Football Club
- CAPS United Football Club
- Club Africain (Tunisia)
Trivia
- Ronald Chitiyo supports Manchester United[12]
- Ronald Chitiyo was once passionate about playing for CAPS[1]
- Chitiyo is actually a product of Dynamos Juniors, having featured for them in as early as 2005.[13]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Chitiyo — Monos’ prolific goalscorer, The Standard, Published: 30 Sep 2012, Retrieved: 19 Apr 2015
- ↑ Augustine Hwata, Ronald Chitiyo back from SA trials, Herald, Published: 4 Feb 2013, Retrieved: 19 Apr 2015
- ↑ Jairos Saunyama, Ronald Chitiyo wants out of Monomotapa, The Standard, Published: 27 Oct 2013, Retrieved: 19 Apr 2015
- ↑ Chitiyo signs one-year deal with DeMbare, New Zimbabwe, Published: No Date Given, Retrieved: 30 Mar 2015
- ↑ Gemazo, CHITIYO TO EARN US$100'000 PER SEASON, Dembare DotComs, Published: 13 Mar 2015, Retrieved: 19 Apr 2015
- ↑ Eddie Chikamhi Harare City sign Chitiyo, Manuvire, THerald, Published: 30 December 2015, Retrieved: 13 January 2023
- ↑ Robson Sharuko Rooney’s Tunisian nightmare, The Herald, Published: 24 January 2018, Retrieved: 13 January 2023
- ↑ CAPS STAR ON ASSAULT CHARGES, H-Metro, Published: 25 January 2018, Retrieved: 13 January 2023
- ↑ Fungai Muderere Caps United quartet in court, H-Metro, Published: 15 November 2019, Retrieved: 13 January 2023
- ↑ Sikhumbuzo Moyo UPDATED: Guilty Caps players found not guilty, Chronicle, Published: 13 December 2019, Retrieved: 13 January 2023
- ↑ Lawrence Mangenje Chitiyo quits Simba Bhora, Soccer24, Published: No Date Was Given, Retrieved: 13 January 2023
- ↑ Ronald Chitiyo, Facebook post, Ronald Chitiyo Facebook profile, Published: 1 Dec 2012, Retrieved: 19 Apr 2015
- ↑ Albert Marufu, Chihoro speaks on football and juju, The Standard, Published: 26 May 2013, Retrieved: 19 Apr 2015
