Ricardo Badoer: Meet the man pulling tough strings at Wazito

National Super League side Wazito FC, has a unique president, Ricardo Badoer, who goes nuts when the club loses but screams on top of his voice with happiness when the club wins [Courtesy]

You must have seen his Twitter posts, spitting venom whenever his team loses.

Ricardo Badoer, the president of National Super League side Wazito FC does not mince his words.

Recently his tweet caused a stir online after he strongly reprimanded the team for losing to FC Talanta in a league match played while he was in Dubai.

Two days later, the club announced the sacking of head coach Ahmed Muhammed Mchulla and his assistant Hussein Mohammed.

His tweet, which The Nairobian grabbed, read: “I had two f*cking neck surgeries in 24 hours!!!! I could do better than you f*cking f*ckers!!!! How you guys keep letting yourself down I do not know. You do not have heart or b*lls!!!! You are f*cking lucky I am stuck in Dubai... As soon as I am cleared I will be in Nairobi.”

He goes further: “Two open neck surgery in less than 24 hours and I still kick more a*s then our Wazito FC players. You guys should just go to sleep.”

When asked by this paper to explain his outburst, Ricardo declined to comment citing health issues.

“I would love to help, but I am recovering from a major neck surgery. Let me contact you when I feel better,” he told The Nairobian.

A few days before his controversial tweet, Ricardo had threatened to fire some of his players for not winning a league match.

Who exactly is Ricardo Badoer?

Ricardo is a Swedish investment banker and football fanatic who lives in Dubai.

Apart from Wazito FC, he also owns a fifth-tier football club in Spain called CD Ursaria.

He is also the founder and owner of a global cryptocurrency firm Aidos Kuneen, and the founder of Badoer Investments Ltd, which deals in real estate, equity and banking.

Recently, he acquired major shares at the Sumac Microfinance Bank and Tanzania-based Hakika Microfinance Bank, to make him one of the directors in the bank's board.

He has also acquired substantial stake in one of Kenya's online media companies in a bid to have a footing in the media space in the country.

The businessman took over Wazito FC in December 2018 with the aim of transforming the club into an African giant. He ensured that the team is well equipped both off and on the pitch.

He says plans are underway to build a modern stadium for the club, as well as acquiring a team bus.

Ricardo took over the mantle from Solomon Alubala, the founder of the club. Alubala is however still part of the team, serving as the sports director.

Together with other University of Nairobi alumni, Alubala formed the team in 2011, to nurture talent from the university.