admin
Tadious Manyepo in SANDTON, South Africa
GOVERNMENT on Sunday saluted the Mighty Warriors for their gallant performance at the COSAFA Women’s Championships held in Gauteng.
Despite spending the better part of the last two years on the sidelines of international football, due to a FIFA suspension, Zimbabwe exceeded expectations to reach the semi-finals.
The Shadreck Mlauzi team, which finished fourth after losing 2-0 in their third place play-off final to Mozambique on Sunday, had the second best defence in the tournament, after runners-up Zambia.
They had the best goalkeeper in Cynthia Shonga, who won the tournament’s Golden Glove award after conceding just twice in four matches.
And, the Zimbabwe Ambassador to South Africa, David Hamadziripi feted the girls at a Sandton hotel on Sunday evening as the Zimbabwean community came together to celebrate the Mighty Warriors.
“Firstly, I would like to thank all those who have chipped in with sponsorship towards the hosting of this event,” Ambassador Hamadziripi said.
“It is this spirit that will enable us to move forward.
“To you, the Mighty Warriors, you have done us proud. I am predicting that you will win the next tournament given the way you performed in this particular event.
“Given where we are coming from, we didn’t think that you will go all the way to the last four.
“But the indomitable spirit within you pushed you to punch effectively at this tournament. We are really proud.”
The dinner was put together by different Zimbabwe-owned South Africa-based companies led by Zororo-Phumulani.
The funeral services company also donated an assortment of goods worth thousands of United States dollars to the team.
Company representative, Brian Makunike, said his organisation was ready to forge a long time partnership with the Mighty Warriors.
“Look, as Zororo-Phumulani, we have always supported sport and we will continue doing that,” said Makunike.
“We are really proud of what the Mighty Warriors have done in this tournament. We have been following them in this competition and we are here to reaffirm our support with this donation.
“We are considering partnering the team in the future”.
COSAFA president, Artur de Almeida e Silva, also attended the dinner.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter