It’s smiles all the way to the bank

winning bonuses after they received US$2 000 each from Mbada Diamonds, who were the principal sponsors of the team ahead of this tie.
The company, which sponsors the richest knockout tournament in the country, the Mbada Diamonds Cup, also paid the appearance fees and daily allowances for the Warriors as well as taking care of their accommodation costs.
At a brief ceremony yesterday, some of the foreign-based players, including skipper Tapuwa Kapini, and are scheduled to leave this morning for their bases, received the money from Dube who also hailed the team for a job well done.
“Well, obviously, everybody who is in this house, should be a very happy person that we managed to win at long last,” said Dube.

“This is what we have been praying for all these years that Zimbabwe at some point should qualify for some of these tournaments.
“I think that the stage that we have arrived we should be able to make it to South Africa next year. We should be able to represent our country there.
“We should be able to make it from what we did yesterday. I am very, very thrilled.

“I was away in Seychelles and the sort of stories that we were getting were somewhat worrying that we were going to have another dark day. But the coaches managed to assemble a strong team.”
The Zifa president said it remained his concern that the Government was not doing more to help them, in this national cause, and would be seeking audience with people in high offices.

“Players and coaches should be rewarded fairly and this is what is happening in other countries and, frankly, I am not happy with the way the Government is treating football,” said Dube.
“We know they have constraints in terms of resources but with a lot of effort should come in as soccer is the biggest sport in the country.

“I am going to seek audience with very high offices, it cannot continue like this, and our parent ministry should be able to do something about it.
“I had to make resources for the Under-17 team while I was away, as we faced another fine again and we were going to be banned. But this cannot continue like this.

“The Government of national unity has really let down football. I have always said a snake with three heads is a very dangerous one and this is what we have in the country.”

Dube added that they will start preparing for the return leg now and were charmed that the Palancas Negras had two chartered flights for their team and would be looking for funding to charter a plane to Luanda with fans also contributing something.
The star of the show, Billiat, as he received his bonus, said it was motivating that the players were now getting their money on time.
“It is good that every time the team plays they get incentives. It motivates us as well and would like to thank the president and Mbada Diamonds.

“Personally, I would never be satisfied with my current performance. It sets goals for me that I have to take it to another level and work even harder.
“Going back to my club I will look at where I got it right and where I got it wrong. Personally, I feel there is still a big gap and can do much better.
“The bottom line is we need to qualify. I want to play at the African Cup of Nations for the first time and it would be a great opportunity,” said Billiat.
Kalmar midfielder, Archford Gutu, who was a happy man as he celebrated his second goal in the Warriors colours, said playing in Europe was helping to improve his game.

“I believe I had a good game and I have always wanted to score for the national team. My first goal was at CHAN in Sudan.
“And this goal was really sweet as in my last Warriors match I was substituted in the first half and it pushed me to do well. So, when I was given the opportunity on Sunday, I really wanted to do well. I have improved my defensive work and awareness.
“I think as we go back to our clubs we have to continue working hard and come back next month and finish off the job,” said Gutu.

Warriors’ forward, Quincy Antipas, was also confident that the team would qualify.
“Zimbabwe is one step closer to the Nations Cup. We have a second leg coming but have a feeling that the team will win. If we can go to the Nations Cup it would help the image of the country. It is the biggest sport in the country,” said Antipas.