Former Highlanders and Zimbabwe Saints championship-winning coach Roy Barreto has died. He was 72.
His longtime friend, Illan Elkaim, confirmed the news on Monday, saying Barreto had been ill for some time.
“I am gutted. Roy had been ill for a while and finally passed away today,” said Elkaim.
Barreto began his coaching career in Mutare in the early 1980s before moving to Bulawayo, where he joined the Zimbabwe Saints technical team.
He helped guide Chauya Chikwata to the Chibuku Trophy before leading the club to the 1988 league championship, cementing his reputation as one of Zimbabwe’s finest football tacticians.
In 1989, Barreto joined Highlanders, where he enjoyed further success. He led Bosso to a league and cup double in 1990 before winning the inaugural Premier Soccer League title in 1993.
He was also part of Zimbabwe’s celebrated “Dream Team” technical team, serving as assistant to the late German coach Reinhard Fabisch.
Barreto’s coaching career took him beyond Zimbabwe. He worked in Namibia, had a stint with South African side Free State Stars and later joined Orlando Pirates, where he won the South African league title.
At the time of his death, Barreto was living in Portugal with his wife, Fazi.
He is survived by his wife and two daughters, one based in England and the other in Ireland.
More: B-Metro
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