Ranga Chivaviro
Ranga Chivaviro has joined Saudi First Division club Al-Adalah on a one-year deal, marking a significant move for the 32-year-old former Kaizer Chiefs striker who has completed his transfer after arriving in the Kingdom to finalise terms, bringing his goal-scoring prowess to the ambitious Tolyatti-based side aiming for promotion to the Saudi Pro League.
The Transfer Announcement and Deal Details
The transfer of Ranga Chivaviro to Al-Adalah Sports Club in Saudi Arabia’s First Division was confirmed on Thursday, with the South African forward putting pen to paper on a one-year contract. The deal, which sees Chivaviro move on a free transfer after his departure from Chippa United, represents a fresh start for the seasoned striker who has been a journeyman in South African football for over a decade. Al-Adalah, a club based in the industrial city of Tolyatti and newly promoted to the top tier of Saudi football outside the elite Pro League, view Chivaviro as a key addition to their attacking line-up, bringing experience and finishing ability to help secure a spot in the Saudi Pro League.
Chivaviro, who arrived in Saudi Arabia last week to undergo medical checks and negotiations, expressed excitement about the opportunity in a brief statement through his representatives. The move comes after a period of uncertainty for the 32-year-old, who had been without a club since leaving Chippa United in August 2025. The one-year deal includes performance-based incentives, with sources indicating a base salary in the region of R5 million annually, plus bonuses for goals and appearances. Al-Adalah’s management, led by coach Slaven Bilić, sees Chivaviro’s physicality and aerial threat as ideal for the competitive First Division, where the club finished mid-table in their debut season but aims for playoffs this year.
The announcement was met with mixed reactions from South African football fans, many of whom remembered Chivaviro’s prolific spells at clubs like Baroka FC and Sekhukhune United. On social media, supporters wished him well, with one fan posting, “Ranga deserves this chance abroad—hope he bangs in goals and makes us proud.” Others lamented the PSL’s trend of losing talent to overseas leagues, highlighting the growing appeal of Saudi football for African players seeking financial stability and exposure.
Chivaviro’s Journey in South African Football
Ranga Chivaviro’s career has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, marked by consistent goal-scoring but hampered by injuries and inconsistent team support. Born on 15 December 1993 in Mokopane, Limpopo, Chivaviro began his professional journey with Baroka FC in 2015, where he quickly established himself as a reliable striker. In his debut season, he netted 8 goals in the National First Division, helping Baroka secure promotion to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in 2016. Over six seasons with the Limpopo side, Chivaviro scored 42 goals in 120 appearances, earning the nickname “Chivaz” for his predatory instincts and physical presence.
His move to Sekhukhune United in 2021 saw him thrive, bagging 15 goals in the 2021/22 PSL season and earning a call-up to Bafana Bafana. However, a high-profile transfer to Kaizer Chiefs in July 2022 turned sour. Despite high expectations, Chivaviro struggled with form and fitness, managing only 3 goals in 25 appearances before being loaned out. His stint at Marumo Gallants in 2023 yielded 10 goals, but he returned to Chiefs without recapturing his spark. By mid-2025, after another loan to Chippa United where he scored 7 goals in 18 matches, Chivaviro became a free agent, prompting interest from abroad.
Chivaviro’s international career has been limited but promising. He earned his first Bafana Bafana cap in 2022 against Morocco, scoring on debut in a friendly. With 5 caps and 2 goals, he remains a fringe player but could use the Saudi move to revive his national team prospects ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. At 32, Chivaviro brings maturity and experience, having played over 250 professional matches and scored 95 goals across leagues.
Interest from Multiple Clubs and the Saudi Twist
Chivaviro’s availability drew interest from several quarters. In August 2025, he was linked with a return to Sekhukhune United and a move to Maritzburg United in the PSL, where his goal-scoring record would have been a bargain. Overseas, clubs in Iraq, Hong Kong, and Tanzania expressed interest, offering contracts worth R3-4 million annually. Chippa United nearly re-signed him on a permanent basis after a productive loan, but the Saudi opportunity proved too lucrative to ignore.
Al-Adalah’s pursuit began in late August 2025, with scouts impressed by Chivaviro’s finishing in Chippa highlights. The club, backed by local petrochemical giant TolyattiAzot, has a modest budget but ambitious goals, having finished mid-table in the First Division last season. Promotion to the Saudi Pro League would bring R100 million in TV rights, making Chivaviro a strategic signing. The deal was finalised after a medical in Riyadh, with Chivaviro opting for Saudi over PSL stability due to the financial package and exposure in a growing league.
Saudi Arabia’s First Division, known as the Yelo League, features 18 teams and is a stepping stone to the high-profile Saudi Pro League (SPL), home to stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar. Al-Adalah, founded in 1957, plays at Al-Adalah Sports Club Stadium in Khobar, drawing average crowds of 5,000. Under coach Slaven Bilić, they aim for playoffs, with Chivaviro joining forwards like Tim Kleindienst. The league’s physical style suits the South African’s strengths, and success could lead to an SPL move.
Implications for Chivaviro and South African Football
For Chivaviro, the transfer is a career reboot. At 32, he seeks to rebuild his reputation after Chiefs’ disappointment, where injuries limited him to 20 starts. In Saudi, he’ll face competitive football, potentially earning Bafana recalls if he scores 10+ goals. The one-year deal includes a promotion clause, offering security.
For South African football, it highlights the PSL’s export trend. With 50 players moving abroad in 2025, generating R500 million, talents like Chivaviro seek better pay (R5m vs PSL’s R2m average) and leagues. The PSL loses strikers, but gains from remittances and exposure. SAFA president Danny Jordaan sees it as positive: “Players like Ranga elevate our game globally.”
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