LIBYA have invited the Warriors for a friendly football match before the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) set for Gabon in January, as the North African team bid to convince Fifa and Caf that the country is safe to host international matches.
BY HENRY MHARA
Zifa president, Philip Chiyangwa yesterday revealed that he had received quite a number of offers from football powerhouses, who want to play the Warriors, including one from Libya, which he described as “fantastic” and hard to resist.
“I have offers from a number of countries, who want to play us. We have seven offers on the table. We will play Ivory Coast on December 26, that one is confirmed. We will also play Cameroon. Mali want to play us in Casablanca (Morocco). Gabon and South Africa have also offered to play us,” he said at a Press conference to mark his first anniversary.
“Libya have made a more fantastic offer than all the other teams. They have offered the team first-class air tickets, five-star accommodation and allowances for the players. We are inclined to consider their offer. We have seven offers, but I don’t want the team to play too many matches because the players could pick injuries.”
Caf banned Libya from hosting any international games after the overthrow of their leader, Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 left the country awash with weapons and armed militias, who often take the law into their own hands while authorities struggle to impose law and order in the country.
Libya play their international matches in neighbouring Tunisia and Egypt, while their top-flight league only resumed a few months ago because of the country’s tenuous security situation.
It appears the desperate Libya football association wants to revive international football in the country and part of the plan is to host international friendlies to convince Fifa and Caf that the country is now safe to host matches.
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While there are security concerns surrounding the invite, it would be good news for coach Kalisto Pasuwa if the match materialises.
The Warriors gaffer has made it clear he wants to play North African opposition in the build-up to the Afcon finals where he will face two teams from that region.
Zimbabwe, who are in Group B, will play Algeria, Tunisia and Senegal.
The Warriors, who are set to regroup on December 23 to continue with their Afcon preparations, have already played two international friendlies against Zambia and Tanzania.
Chiyangwa said he would ensure the best possible preparations for the team.
Speaking on his year in office, Chiyangwa said he had made significant progress in the association since taking over from Cuthbert Dube. Some of the achievements, he said, included containing the football association’s $6 million debt and paying off players’ outstanding salaries and debts.
“There is remarkable progress recorded in the year 2016, more than ever before. You cannot compare the 2016 football season to any other year because this is the year that the Warriors participated at the Chan tournament in Rwanda and qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon,” he said.
“The Mighty Warriors participated at the Olympic Games for the first time and also participated at the Africa Women Cup of Nations. Such hasn’t been achieved in the history of local football both in men and women.
“We managed to stabilise the organisation. We trimmed the number of workers and remained with very few, but they are delivering.
“There has been some remarkable changes and action. We have not spared to take action which we think is necessary.”
One of the achievements in his first year in office, Chiyangwa said, was to halt the Asiagate match-fixing scandal exercise, as it was unconstitutional and had not received Fifa’s backing.
Chiyangwa said he had found a sponsor to kit the Warriors at the Gabon finals, although he would not disclose the identity.
“I brought in Wicknell Chivayo and you guys (media) attacked him into oblivion. You should remember that the stories you write have serious ramifications on us. I have a sponsor, whom I will not divulge, lest you attack him the same way you did with Wicknell. You (media) are my partners and we should work together and stop attacking sponsors,” he said.
Chiyangwa was expected to meet with the Zifa councillors and the Premier Soccer League last night to find a solution to an impasse over the number of teams to be relegated from and promoted into the top-flight league.
He promised to have one national Division One League next year and to compel league teams to have junior structures and academies.
