adminZimbabwe take on Angola in the second leg of the 2013 Afcon final qualifiers with a promising 3-1 lead. Any draw result would be good for the Warriors who would qualify on aggregate.
The safest though would be an outright win.
George Manyaya, chairman of the committee which is dominated by captains of industry, confirmed that $277 000 had been raised as of yesterday afternoon. He said hopes were still high that the figure would rise in the next three days to allow Zifa to confirm their bookings for the players.
“We have raised $277 000, donations have been trickling in and we appreciate what has so far come into our coffers. We appeal for more as our target is $500 000 and with a few days to go to
Angola, we hope in the next three to four days more will trickle in,” said Manyaya.
He said with players expected in camp today, his hope was that that would on its own excite more people who would want to participate.
To date the committee has received $200 000 from Mbada Diamonds, $30 000 from ZMDC, $5 000 from Buymore Investments, $10 000 from Zifa president Cuthbert Dube, a $7 000 discount on airfares from South African Airways, $1 000 from Conduit Investments, $5 000 from Pace International, $4 000 from an unnamed local businessman, Unifoods foodstuffs worth $1 700, Scanoff Trading 25 cases of mineral water, African Sun Hotels (two bed and breakfast vouchers for two people), a leading bank $10 000, ZBC, ZiFM and StarFM (free advertising space for jingle), Marsh Holdings $1 000 and Favco groceries worth $500.
Manyaya said they were hopeful that the southern Region Chapter of the committee which has Bulawayo businessmen Jabulani Nkomo and Omega Sibanda as members would contribute something tangible to the cause.
“Our colleagues in Bulawayo Omega and Nkomo are working hard down there. They say the response from the corporate sector is promising, they should be able to raise something good towards the $500 000. We will be hearing from them tomorrow,” said Manyaya yesterday.
He also disclosed that tickets for fans wishing to travel to watch the match had already gone on sale with one customer buying 10 in one instance.
“The response has been tremendous, we urge members wishing to travel to jump at the opportunity early because the tickets are selling well,” said Manyaya.
A return ticket will cost one $600.
The chartered plane carrying supporters will leave Harare on Friday at midnight for the game.
The match has created a lot of hype after seasons of indifferent results due to match-fixing allegations levelled against over 100 players and officials.
Rahman Gumbo started his campaign with almost 40 players ineligible for selection and now his base has widened with Cuthbert Malajila, Kingstone Nkhata and Lloyd Zvasiya, among the cleared players.
Online Reporter