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Harare Bureau
THE Warriors have received $51,000 from the Government to cater for their appearance fees and allowances at the recent African Nations Championship where they reached the semi-finals.
Andrew Langa, the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, said in a statement yesterday that the money had since been deposited into the Sports Commission’s account and would be handed over to Zifa soon.
The gesture comes as an addition to the $88,000 that the Government gave to the team for their stay in South Africa for the continental football showcase last month.
Coach Ian Gorowa’s side staged a brave fight and wrote their own piece of history as they finished fourth following a fairy-tale run.
The players and the technical team are also set for a windfall as they have been promised a “handsome” payout by Zifa from the $250,000 they got as prizemoney for finishing fourth at this year’s Chan tournament.
The Warriors surprised all and sundry when they reached the last four of this year’s Chan tournament where they lost on penalties to the eventual winners Libya before they went down 1-0 to continental giants Nigeria in the third-place play-off.
Minister Langa, who managed to convince the government to give the Warriors part sponsorship before their departure for the tournament, said Cabinet was proud of the team’s performances at Chan.
“Cabinet congratulates the Warriors for a job well done at the Chan tournament. They showcased the country in a very positive light, they are our heroes.
“I say it is a job well-done to Ian Gorowa and his technical team. We are proud of them, may they keep up the good work and we can only hope for better times ahead.
“The funds have been deposited into the Sport and Recreation Commission’s account and will be in the Zimbabwe Football Association’s coffers for handover to the players.
“History has it that no other Warriors team has managed to go past the group stage and play in the quarter finals of the Chan or Afcon tournaments. It was Zimbabwe’s first real success at a tournament of this magnitude,” Langa said.
He also congratulated the two local football club representatives at continental level — Dynamos and How Mine — for winning their opening matches last weekend.
DeMbare beat Champions League rivals Mochudi Centre Chiefs of Botswana 3-0 at the National Sports Stadium while How Mine made a promising debut in Africa with a 4-0 thrashing of Chuoni of Zanzibar in the Caf Confederation Cup preliminary round tie.
“I would like to congratulate Dynamos and How Mine for the brilliant work they showed over the past weekend in the respective continental championships.
“May they bring the glory back home as they embark on a journey of supremacy outside the country this weekend. To me, both teams played some wonderful football, they were exceptional and seamless performances, may they continue in this vein. They now not only represent their respective followers but the entire country. That is such a bigger responsibility,” said Langa.
Online Reporter