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MINISTER of Sport and Recreation Makhosini Hlongwane has expressed his appreciation to the Warriors fans who gave their support to the national team in their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Swaziland in Lobamba on 
Friday.
Hlongwane and Zifa president Philip Chiyangwa were part of the Zimbabweans who cheered Callisto Pasuwa’s boys as they played out a 1-1 draw against Sihlangu to remain on top of their group with five points. In a statement sent out yesterday, Hlongwane said he paid attention to the fact that some fans travelled thousands of kilometres to give their support to the national team.
He went on to congratulate the Warriors for securing the one point in Swaziland.
“The Minister of Sport and Recreation would like to express deep and profound thanks to the legion of football fans who went to render their support to the Warriors team at Somhlolo Stadium in Swaziland yesterday (Friday).
“The Minister particularly takes note of the sacrifice by these fans some of whom travelled for over a thousand kilometres by road to register their support for the Warriors. The Minister would also want to extend his congratulations to the Warriors team for coming out with a point in the crucial first leg encounter between Zimbabwe and Swaziland,’’ said Hlongwane.
He went on to call for the fans to come out in their huge numbers tomorrow to offer their support to the Warriors when they take on Swaziland. The minister called on the Warriors to do everything they can to overpower Sihlangu to enhance their chances of qualifying for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
“Minister Hlongwane is therefore calling on Zimbabwean sport fans to go to the National Sports Stadium in their multitudes on Monday to support the Warriors in this do or die encounter. The Minister also calls on the Warriors to do everything they can to defeat the Swazis on Monday so as to boost their chances of making it to Afcon finals in 2017,’’ concluded Hlongwane’s statement.
Meanwhile, Zifa has sent out an appeal to all members of the football fraternity and the nation at large to come in their large numbers and support the Warriors in their Group L Orange Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match against Swaziland tomorrow at the National Sports Stadium.
Zimbabwe are joint leaders in the group with Swaziland as they both have five points.
A win for Zimbabwe will enhance their chances of qualifying for the 2017 Gabon Africa cup of Nations finals.
In a statement sent out by Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela yesterday said gate charges for the match are $3 rest of the ground, $5 for Bays 15-18 and $20 for VIP.
He said Zifa is using the match as a fundraising mechanism and therefore plead with the nation to support the national team.
Gwesela pointed out that Zifa executive committee led by Phillip Chiyangwa is ready to deliver a faultless event. There will be full bar and catering with prominent musicians among them Sulumani Chimbetu entertaining the fans. The police will deploy vigilant security details to provide security and safety to the multitude of fans. Zifa have also engaged a private and reputable security company to complement law enforcement agents. It will be a family day and Zifa has allocated some bays at the National Sports Stadium for families. Zifa appeals to fans and football lovers to come to the stadium early as gates will open at 10 am and enjoy our mesmerising entertainment,’’ said Gwesela.
Zimbabwe struggled for full dominance over Swaziland at Somhlolo Stadium on Friday in a match which ended 1-1. This has been largely attributed to poor tactics employed by coach Callisto Pasuwa whose midfield lacked a creative player.
Pasuwa went with skipper Willard Katsande and Danny Phiri, both considered to be defensive midfielders while going with Cuthbert Malajila, Khama Billiat, Matthew Rusike and Knowledge Musona in attack.
Zimbabwe have one of the best opportunities to book their place at the Afcon tournament where they last appeared in Egypt in 2006. After Swaziland, the Warriors face Malawi at home in June and then finish their qualifiers with an away fixture to Guinea in September.
The group winners qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, while the runners-up also qualify if they are one of the two runners-up with the best records.
Group L Standings
P W D L Pts
1 Zimbabwe 3 1 2 0 5
2 Swaziland 3 1 2 0 5
3 Malawi 3 0 2 1 2
4 Guinea 3 0 2 1 2
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