Minister calls for meeting

Eddie Chikamhi in MASERU
SPORT and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane has called for a meeting with ZIFA and the Warriors technical team this week to map the way forward after the national team yesterday sealed their place at next year’s Africa Nations Championship to be held in Rwanda. Hlongwane, who was among the supporters who travelled to Lesotho to back the team in their quest for a fourth successive CHAN appearance, was thrilled with the feat and has called on all Zimbabweans to rally behind the Warriors as they begin preparations for the football jamboree.

Zimbabwe drew 1-1 with Lesotho at Sesotho Stadium yesterday but qualified on a 4-2 aggregate win following last week’s success in the first leg played at Barbourfields. Roderick Mutuma continued with his rich vein of form when he grabbed Zimbabwe’s goal in the 34th minute before Lesotho’s Ralekoti Mokhahlane pulled one back in the 83rd minute.

Hlongwane, who addressed the players shortly before kick-off, said the team has managed to succeed under difficult conditions and hinted that there is need for proper planning ahead of the 2016 CHAN finals in Rwanda. He said the Warriors feat and the historic qualification by the women’s team for the 2016 Olympic Games shows that the country’s football landscape could change forever if things are done professionally.

“Zimbabwean football in the field of play has definitely turned a corner and the narrative has changed. It’s now clear that our football, with a bit of support, is able to explode its potential and get back to the winning ways. “For the collective of sport this is extremely important because sport, as you know, is a universal language of happiness, of unity and of oneness.

The deficit in sport is beginning now to be addressed by the victories in football. “Going forward the sport dividend must necessarily contribute to the development of the economy and that should be true of all sport codes.

“For the Warriors, the next challenge is the AFCON qualifiers. Zimbabwe must qualify. “I am going to have a meeting at my office with the Sports Commission, ZIFA and the Warriors technical team to discuss the issue of camping and I will be in a position to make a pronouncement after that meeting in terms of the way forward.

“As you may know we have asked for discipline at ZIFA. The corporate world is called upon to fund the Warriors in cash or in kind to make sure that they continue on the success ladder,” said Hlongwane.