The Warriors will get $10 000 each if they qualify for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals set for South Africa in January.
Report by Wellington Toni Sports Editor The Warriors lead 3-1 from the first leg played at Rufaro early this month and travel to Luanda on October 12 for the return leg with only 90 minutes separating them from a third appearance in the continental competition. The figures were revealed in a $500 000 budget by Zifa board member (finance) Elliot Kasu yesterday when the national association named a marketing committee — code-named Mzansi90 — to mobilise financial and material resources for the match.
Mbada Diamonds corporate affairs executive George Manyaya is the chairman of the committee. “We have budgeted $5 000 as winning bonuses and we also have a qualification bonus set at $5 000, meaning all players will take home $10 000 (each)if we make it to South Africa. Camping allowances have been put at $10 400, daily allowances at $10 000 while appearance fees have been pegged at $21 500,” Kasu said. “Accommodation and meals will cost $48 000 while $35 000 is needed to bring in foreign-based players for the match.”
The Warriors walked away $3 000 richer each for the first leg win courtesy of Mbada Diamonds and Buymore Investments, a company owned by Zifa president Cuthbert Dube. They have already been promised $1 500 each for the return leg, which will take their earnings to almost $11 500.
“A 197-seater chartered flight will cost $191 000 while a 105-seater will cost $110 000 which leaves enough space for supporters to travel with us. If we use a chartered flight, the total budget will come to $620 000 while $470 000 is the total cost for regular flights,” Kasu said.
He added: “We appeal to this committee to help and we will respond by ensuring there is transparency and accountability in the handling of finances and an audit will be carried out.” Dube, in commissioning the 25-member committee said: “Football competitions thrive on adequate resourcing and focus and to this end Zifa has seen it fit to put together a team of patriotic business executives to whose brief shall revolve around unlocking the financial and material resources abounding in our community in support of the Warriors’ 90-minute walk to South Africa.”
Warriors manager Nyika Chifamba promised Zimbabweans that they will fight for their lives in Luanda. Chifamba had promised that the team would be named yesterday but Zifa chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze later confirmed last night that the team would be announced today.
Desmond Ali, a BancABC executive, who spoke on behalf of the Mzansi90 said: “It’s not an easy task we have here because we only have two weeks left, but we will work hard and leave no stone unturned to ensure that resources are availed to the national team.”
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Other members of the committee include Mbada Diamonds chief administrator Major Mahlangu, CBZ Holdings’ Joel Gombera, Hospitality of Zimbabwe president Tich Hwingwiri, Mimosa Mining Company’s Nathan Shoko, Bernard Gwarada of Led Car Hire, Chamu Sithole of TN Bank and Astra Holdings group chief executive officer Jabu Nkomo. Bulawayo businessman Omega Sibanda, Busi Khumalo, Harare business executives Marios Helas, Ntombizodwa Toppela, and Memory Kanyati, Tich Matambanadzo, NetOne spokesman Rutendo Chaburuka, Chamu Chiwanza, Wavel Gunda, Simeon Jamanda, who is the supporters’ liaison officer, Washington Mutasa, Maxwell Mugabe, Hugo Ribatika and Coxwell Chigwana are part of the committee.
