Fans mobilise for Warriors tie

Takudzwa Chitsiga

Zimpapers Sports Hub

A GROUP of football fans trading as Friends of the Warriors have started to mobilise resources ahead of the senior team’s final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya next week.

Zimbabwe will face Kenya at Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane on November 15 before they wind off their Group J campaign with an away trip to Cameroon four days later.

The Friends of the Warriors indicated yesterday that have lined up five buses for the trip Polokwane.

The fans said they had been waiting for ZIFA to confirm the venue of the game. When the association revealed last Friday that Polokwane would be the Warriors base, their preparations moved a gear up.

Friends of Warriors chief of protocol Tendai “T-Bunz” Zhakata said they were looking to maximise on the proximity of Polokwane to Beitbridge border post to ensure they have numbers in the terraces on match day.

“We are going to have transport for our supporters who wish to travel to Polokwane, South Africa for our game against Kenya.

“Our senior team has been using The Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg but we are happy that we will now be in Polokwane which is closer to home.

“We urge all the supporters both members of the Friends of the Warriors and non-members to come and join us for the trip.

“There is need to support the team and we are not looking back thinking that we have already qualified but we need the fans’ support.

“We are also urging those based in South Africa to come out in their numbers and rally behind the team. We are organising some regalia that is flags, drums, and all that can help us support the team,” said Zhakata.

Friends of Warriors secretary-general Rinos Rambi said they are satisfied with the unity among local football fans.

“We are hopeful we will have large numbers for the games,” said Rambi.

While it might be a long shot for the fans to travel to Doula in Cameroon, they believe they can use the game at Peter Mokaba to help the Warriors to cross the line and secure a place at the Nations Cup in Morocco next year.