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Grace Chingoma Harare Bureau
THE Mighty Warriors, who have a make-or-break-tie this Sunday when they host Ghana at Rufaro in an All-Africa Games qualifier, received a timely boost when LM Auctioneers donated foodstuffs and T-shirts to the team.
The team has been in camp since last week as they prepare to overturn a 1-2 first leg deficit in Accra.
In a brief ceremony at ZIFA House, Sport, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister, Tabeth Kanengoni-Malinga, praised LM Auctioneers director, Lewis Muzhara, for the donation and called on more partners to come aboard and support the girl child.
She revealed that Freda Rebecca Mines assisted the team with tickets, through the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, for their flight to Ghana.
“I’m reliably informed that LM Auctioneers have been involved in the development of women football in the country for a long time,” said Kanengoni-Malinga.
“Their marriage with women football dates back to 2010, supporting various clubs in the league and the Mighty Warriors.
“LM Auctioneers have, for the past years, regularly organised three-day tournaments at national level with all the teams in the league taking part.
“The tournaments saw more than 250 people benefiting at a given time. The sponsorship package included bed and breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, floating trophies and prizemoney.
“The company has once again come on board to support the Mighty Warriors with sporting goodies. This comes at the right time when the girls are preparing for their crucial return leg.
“This kind of support from LM Auctioneers is in line with the government thrust of empowering people, especially the girl child. Let me take this opportunity to encourage other players to partner the Government in the promotion and development of sport in the country.”
Kanengoni-Malinga, who also travelled to Ghana for the first leg, believes playing at home gives the Mighty Warriors a chance to conquer.
“I was privileged to witness the first leg in Accra on March 21. I was impressed by the courage and fighting spirit which the Mighty Warriors exhibited during the tie.
“I’ve no doubt that with this kind of support the girls will conquer the Ghananians on Sunday.
“I’m not happy about the lack of support that exists in women’s football – morally and financially.
“Even when I was chatting to the Sports Minister of Ghana she complained about the same thing and the stadium was empty, yet it was a free match.
“We must support teams, whether they are male or female teams. We will help create an atmosphere which is conducive for a win on Sunday and, with the whole nation behind the team, there must be no excuse.”
The deputy minister also pledged some more of the foodstuffs at the Zifa Village.
Muzhara, said they will continue to support women’s soccer. “It’s not our first time supporting the Mighty Warriors and we will continue to do so and we also wish you all the best on Sunday,” he said.
The function was attended by the Mighty Warriors technical team led by Rose Mugadza, skipper Felistas Muzongondi, veteran midfielder Marjoury Nyaumwe, ZIFA technical director Maxwell Takaendesa-Jongwe and and women soccer boss Miriam Sibanda.
Bongani Moyo
Online Reporter