Online ReporterVeronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the Mighty Warriors by tabling improved player remuneration offers for the team ahead of the COSAFA Cup.
Pencilled for Polokwane, South Africa, the team is set to leave the country on Tuesday next week with their first fixture set to take place two days later.
The Zimbabweans are in Group B where they will battle it out against Eswatini in their first game before facing defending champions Zambia and Botswana.
Top teams from Group A, B and C will and the best runner-up will progress to the semi-finals.
Deputy Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Emily 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 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.
“We are always going to be supportive because we know that it takes great commitment and courage for them to be at a position where they are going to represent the nation,” she said.
“It is not about whether they have won or they have lost.”
ZIFA president, Nqobile Magwizi, said the association have prepared accommodation and flights have already been booked.
