THE Warriors beat Comoros 2-0 on Sunday in the African Nations Championships (Chan) preliminary round, first leg qualifier at Rufaro Stadium in Harare.
Hearty congratulations to the Kalisto Pasuwa-coached Warriors for the win and for taking a healthy lead to the second leg thanks to goals from Evans Rusike and Marshall Mudehwe.
To the fans, it was a massive day. They came in huge numbers to back their local boys and they must keep up the huge spirit of supporting the national football team. This could have been partly due to Zifa’s decision to reduce the gate charges from $3 to $2 despite the last-minute hiccups at the gates.
Kudos again to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) for agreeing to a two-week break to facilitate not only for Sunday’s match, but also last week’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Malawi in Blantyre.
To some PSL clubs which did not have a break, they must be praised for releasing their players and we believe that together, the country can progress.
It will be difficult to take another break next month, but at least if the teams can avail all the players that Pasuwa requires for his crucial away games, the better for Zimbabwean football.
To Zifa’s all-weather sponsors, they should continue to support the boys as it is motivational. The return leg is on July 3-5 away in the island nation and there is no doubt that the support of all stakeholders in the game will be much appreciated going forward.
The second match is only two weeks away and there are two things that Zifa cannot do — believe they will travel by road to the Comoros or delay the start of the team’s preparations.
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Preparations for this match should have started at 5pm on Sunday by simply finding out how Comoros arrived in the country, which routes they used, which flights are available and on what days to enable the Warriors to fulfil their away match.
The cheapest route is obviously via Johannesburg, South Africa, and Zifa needs a solid and reliable travel agency to put that trip together in time. It will not be easy to get to the Comoros by virtue of its location in the Indian Ocean.
Whether Zifa is broke or not, the national team must fulfil its fixtures. The Sports ministry, Zifa, and the Sports and Recreation Commission all have an important role to play in support of football in the country especially when the team has found winning ways going forward.
It is hoped that Zifa will find ways to present its case to government for support and mobilise the resources in time for the international assignments for the national teams.
Failure to fulfil the fixtures for the national team will be a total disaster for Zifa and its faltering leadership. The discomfiture Zimbabwe suffered in the trip to Malawi cannot be repeated.
It speaks badly not only for Zifa, but also for the country’s leadership that they are able to raise funds for President Robert Mugabe’s million-dollar birthday party and anything associated with the ruling Zanu PF, but cannot fund a single football trip for the national team that requires just about $70 000 including allowances and bonuses for players and the technical team.
It makes Zimbabwe a laughing stock on the international arena and that cannot be allowed to happen again.
