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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE senior women national soccer team was last night still stranded at the Zifa Village in Harare after the association failed to source funds for their transport money.The girls were on Monday, a day after dispatching Botswana, reportedly fed on boiled pumpkin leaves (ibhobola) and Kapenta fish.
What complicates the players’ situation is that their camping base is about 22km (22 km = 13.7 mi) from the nearest shopping centre where those with a few cents could have bought their own food.
Players who spoke to Chronicle Sport last night said they have been “living in hell” despite putting up a spirited performance against Botswana in the African Women Championship in which they won 2-1 at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday to progress to the next round.
All the players, including the technical team, were by last night still stuck at the Zifa Village in Mount Hampden with the Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze only promising to run around today and look for transport money for the girls.
Only the Black Rhinos players broke camp to prepare for their NetOne Charity Shield match scheduled for the weekend.
“It’s hell here, we cannot even believe that we are a national team, representing our country with the way we have been treated,” said a player who asked for anonymity for fear of victimisation.
Added another one: “All we want is to go home and be with our families, it’s like we are prisoners. Even the food we are being given is not befitting what we are here for, on Monday we were given a plate of sadza, Kapenta fish and poorly cooked ibhobola which had no cooking oil.”
Yesterday, they were fed on sadza and a piece of chicken.
“When Mashingaidze came here today, he said he will only look for transport money so that we can go home. He said Zifa will look for more funds for our allowances but we know it’s all lies because they have been singing that gospel all the time,” said another player.
Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela professed ignorance on the Zifa Village debacle while Mashingaidze’s mobile phone was not reachable last night.
Women football boss Mavis Gumbo’s mobile number was also not reachable.
“It’s news to me, such information has not reached my office,” said Gwesela.
A fuming Inline Academy owner, Trust Kwembeya last night said;
“That is not what we advocate for; we are engaging the responsible authorities to get clarity on what is happening there. We hope God will provide us with a good team with great vision and a heart for the girl child.”
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Warriors yesterday arrived safely in Blantyre, Malawi, for their international friendly against The Flames at the Kamuzu Stadium this afternoon.
Online Reporter