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Cosafa Women Championships with a host of cabinet ministers expected to attend the matches.
Fifa president Sepp Blatter, is expected to be the guest of honour at Monday afternoon’s match between the hosts Zimbabwe and Malawi.
Cosafa has moved the match, which was supposed to be played on Sunday, to allow the world football governing boss a chance to watch the match.
Fifa have already committed themselves to bankrolling the Cosafa Women Championships.
The Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, David Coltart, said they would be gracing the tournament.
“Kindly furnish me with the fixtures for the upcoming tournaments and events together with venue details,” he wrote to Zifa chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze this week.
“This will enable me to plan my diary accordingly, and also invite other cabinet ministers interested in football.
“Once again, let me take this opportunity to applaud your organisation for the splendid effort in the development of sport in Zimbabwe.”
Interestingly, while the Government has embraced the Cosafa Women Championships, the Sports Commission tried to take a hardline stance this week and even initially declined to endorse the tournament.
The Sports Commission, though, have been forced into a major climb down and have now said they have given the tournament the greenlight but threatened to deal with Zifa after the event.
The Commission are unhappy that they were advised about the event at the last minute.
Zifa have also made sure that everyone interested in watching the Girl Child in action will not be denied the chance and have pegged the cheapest ticket at US$1.
Fans sitting in the Upper West stand will have to fork out US$3 while those willing to sit in the VIP Tribune will have to part with US$5.
The Zifa Administrator, in charge of competitions, Christopher Manuel, said they have set a minimal fee for all the group matches so that people come in their numbers to support the Girl Child.
“We expect all the mothers, sisters and everyone who is passionate about sport to come and cheer the team and we believe everyone will afford US$1 to watch our girls display good football.
“We enjoyed good crowds in the women’s matches against Zambia and Angola, which were for free, and as Zifa we believe it will be the same at this soccer extravaganza,” said Manuel.
Warriors’ cheerleader Chris “Romario” Musekiwa has urged fellow supporters to throng Rufaro and Gwanzura and show the visiting teams how football is supported in this country.
“We are mobilising support for the Mighty Warriors but I am urging fans to come and rally the other teams even when our girls are not playing.
“We have to show enthusiasm and create an electric atmosphere and show the world that we are a peace loving but soccer crazy nation, especially on Monday, when the Fifa boss would be in the stadium.
“We want to show our passion for the game and express gratitude to Fifa for development projects in the country.
“We will cheer the team all the way to the final. Go Mighty Warriors go,” said Musekiwa.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s women national team arrived in the country late yesterday afternoon and coach Enala Simbeya quickly declared that her side was ready for the regional showpiece.
Defending champions South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi and Lesotho were scheduled to arrive last night while Tanzania is expected to be in today.
She-polopolo hosted the second edition in 2006 but lost to Namibia in the semi-finals and finished third. Zambia believe they have done their home work and this year might be their chance to triumph.
However, the team comes into the tournament with their morale deflated by their failure to qualify for the All-Africa Games set for Mozambique in September.
Zambia were booted out of the All-Africa Games at the first hurdle when they lost to Zimbabwe who went on to win a ticket to the Games.
She-polopolo lost 1-0 to Mighty Warriors in the first leg at Rufaro before suffering a 3-1 defeat in Lusaka.
But youthful coach Simbeya believes her squad, blending youth and experience, will not be pushovers at the weeklong tournament.
In 16-year-old midfielders Chisala Musonda, Misozi Chisha and Kabange Mupopo, the Zambians have players who can make a difference.
She-polopolo have been drawn in the same group with East African side Tanzania, who are coming in on a special invitation from Cosafa, Botswana and three-time champions Banyana Banyana.
Meanwhile the women’s referees’ refresher course, which has been running since Wednesday, ends today with Fifa regional instructor technical Sabelo Maphosa saying that the female match officials were ready.
“We are confident that, come Saturday, the referees will rise to the occasion.
“We first had a physical training session at Rufaro to get them into gear not only with the laws of the game but the physical part.
“We have been watching match video clips with them just to illustrate what we have been teaching them. We did a lot of things in this refresher course and it should help the officials when the games start.
“The girls did well at physical training and we have seen an improvement, said Maphosa.
Online Reporter