Gambe takes dig at Govt, media

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Women Football board member competitions, Cecilia Gambe, on Tuesday took a dig at some Government ministers and the media for not supporting the Mighty Warriors during their qualification journey for the Olympic Games.

Gambe said they went through tough times during the 2016 Rio Games qualifiers as most of the Government ministers they approached closed their doors on them in their time of need.

“Yesterday (Monday) we had a function with the Minister of Sport and Recreation when he hosted a luncheon for us and to my surprise the same people who closed (the) doors on us were singing praises for us.

“I cried and I said these people are coming here to say to us no more begging . . . But to tell you the truth, some of the ministers would say ‘I can’t see you Gambe I am going out now, I am going to my farm’ and most ministers closed the doors on us.

“We were helped by (Prophet) Walter Magaya but Magaya also abandoned us, I am sorry to say this. Journalists if we are writing in the newspapers, let’s write things that help our girls to succeed. Magaya could not give us money because the newspapers were writing something that did not happen. Journalists of today, get my side of the story kana ndaba mari ye ZIFA get the police to arrest me not to scare away the sponsors . . . Don’t get paid to destroy the lives of these girls. Why are you doing this? If we have our personal vendettas with (ZIFA chief executive) Mr (Jonathan) Mashingaidze why should it spill to the girls?”

Gambe said most of the journalists are now interested in covering the Mighty Warriors because they want to go to Rio de Janeiro for the Olympic Games.

“Most of the reporters were not coming to our games, they are now coming because they want to go to Rio,” Gambe said this during a reception for the Mighty Warriors which was hosted by the Mayor of Harare Bernard Manyenyeni at Town House on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, the Mighty Warriors captain, Felistas “Figo” Muzongondi, appealed to the Mayor of Harare for stands as “a token of appreciation” to the team for their phenomenal achievement of qualifying for the 2016 Rio Games.

“Without saying much as you know that we are now ambassadors for Zimbabwe and we come from different families, to our mayor I want to say we don’t even own anything. We have families and we don’t have houses but all I am asking from our mayor is if you can just give us stands as a token of appreciation because these girls did a wonderful job at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday,” said Muzongondi.

In response, Manyenyeni hailed the Mighty Warriors for doing the nation proud by qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when they beat Cameroon 1-0 at Rufaro on Sunday.

Manyenyeni was speaking at a function he hosted for the team at Town House which was also attended by Deputy Mayor Christopher Mbanga.

“To the girls who did us really proud, the Mighty Warriors, I was listening to your game as we were coming from Morton Jeffrey (Water works) and when the final whistle was blown I posted on my Facebook, ‘Rio 2016 here we come’. It was a moment of national pride, national glory, you really made us proud. That’s why we all managed to squeeze out time from our busy schedule, all of us, to be here, to celebrate this event at Town House.

“We, like the rest of the Government, take pride in the qualification. I am excited by the realisation that Zimbabwe has joined hosts Brazil, France, Germany, Colombia and our neighbours South Africa in qualifying for the sporting jamboree that runs from August 5-21 in Brazil next year. I am making proposals to the City Fathers that, funds permitting, they allow two city mothers to accompany you,” said Manyenyeni addressing the Mighty Warriors.

The Harare Mayor said the trip to Rio de Janeiro will be a life-changing experience for the girls and challenged them to represent the country well in Brazil.

“Qualifiers are still on-going in other regions that include Asia, Pacific and Oceania with some qualifiers completing in 2016. But you have seen your invitation already which shows your class and quality.

“Even though you will be joined by other athletes from other disciplines, soccer appeals to more people than all other sports combined and for that reason expectations are higher that you do well in Rio. That is my challenge to you,” said Manyenyeni.

The Mighty Warriors were last night expected to meet PHD Ministries’ Prophet Walter Magaya at his church to appreciate his support for the team.