Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE government has reaffirmed its commitment to the Mighty Warriors, tabling improved player remuneration offers ahead of the COSAFA Senior Women’s Championships which starts in South Africa next week.
Deputy Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Emily Jesaya, yesterday visited the Mighty Warriors at their camp in Harare and left them in higher spirits after emphasising government support for women’s football development.
The 2026 COSAFA Women’s Championship will be staged in Polokwane from February 18- March 1. Zimbabwe are looking to claim their first COSAFA title since 2011.
The Mighty Warriors face Eswatini in their Group B opener on February 19 before taking on defending champions Zambia and Botswana, with the top team progressing to the semi-finals.
In fact, the top teams from Groups A, B and C will, and the best runner-up will progress to the semi-finals.
To demonstrate Government support, Jesaya, yesterday paid a courtesy visit to the women’s national team in camp.
“We came to visit our team, the Mighty Warriors, because as you all know they will be representing us at the COSAFA tournament in the coming days in South Africa,” she said.
“It was very important for us to come and interact with them to show Government support and our commitment to the development of the game and empowerment of women in sport.” Jesaya said her visit was casual, and it was meant to understand the team’s living conditions, nutrition, training facilities and their state of preparedness. As part of the visit, she took time alone without the executives to personally interact with the team and let them warm up to her with their concerns.
The Deputy Minister highlighted that her interaction with the technical team and players was productive. The players, she said, raised several issues relating to players’ welfare, expectations, contracts and accommodation.
“As Government, we will take up the concerns raised by the players and engage football authorities, relevant stakeholders and other Government Ministries, to improve their conditions,” she said.
“I am delighted with this meeting, it was quite enlightening, and true to our commitment, we are going to take up the issues they raised.
“Generally, I am satisfied with the team’s morale, it is clear that the team is ready to represent Zimbabwe with pride, hence the need for us to support them in earnest.”
Jesaya said the Government is prepared to financially support the Mighty Warriors for their appearance at the COSAFA tournament.
While in the past, the women’s teams have been paid minimum wages compared to their male counterparts, this time, their allowances have been increased.
“We are always going to be supportive because we know that it takes great commitment and courage for them to be in a position where they are going to represent the nation,” added Jesaya.
“It is not about whether they have won or they have lost.”
ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi, said logistically, the association have prepared accommodation and flights for the Mighty Warriors.
Magwizi emphasised that the Government’s support will aid the creation of a conducive platform for ZIFA in their efforts to revive women’s football in this country.
“Things like player welfare are very critical, we are looking at ensuring that the standard of living and camping facilities for the women’s national team can be similar to that of men’s,” said Magwizi.
“The allowances have been adjusted, there has been a significant increase in what they will be getting; something which was not there before.
“We give credit to the new executive committee who have pushed for these changes, ensuring that whenever the women’s team participate, resources are availed.” Magwizi added that under his administration, improved remuneration and camping conditions will be a new culture for the Mighty Warriors.
