adminTakudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
THE Warriors might have crashed out of the 2016 COSAFA Castle Cup but the country’s interest in the tournament remains alive on a number of fronts.
The Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters Association leader Eddie “Mboma” Nyatanga is scheduled to leave the country this morning for Namibia, where he will watch the COSAFA Castle Cup semi-finals and final in Namibia this week.
Nyatanga said he will use his visit to foster working relations between his organisation and those from regional countries, whose officials are still involved in the COSAFA Castle Cup.
South Africa take on Swaziland in the first semi-final at 6pm before Botswana lock horns with DR Congo in the second semi at 8:30pm.
Nyatanga, who will also watch the final, will be in Namibia until early next week.
He said his trip was facilitated by NAFAZ president Philip Chiyangwa, who felt that the local fans need to establish relationships with their colleagues around the region.
“We can say we are partners with COSAFA as we have managed to attend each and every COSAFA finals since 2006,” said Nyatanga.
“The relationship dates back to the times of Leo Mugabe, when we went into partnership with then ZIFA executive board and from there we never looked back.
“During the Leo Mugabe and Vincent Pamire era, we went into an agreement with ZIFA that they will ensure that we attend the COSAFA finals and we are doing that again this year.
“As owners of the sport, we feel honoured to be given such an opportunity and I would like to hail NAFAZ president Chiyangwa, who has ensured that we travel to Namibia because he believes we can benefit a lot from that.”
Nyatanga also promised to honour his pledge to Team Zimbabwe for the 2016 Homeless World Cup tournament to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 10-16.
A couple of weeks ago, Nyatanga pledged to give the team $500 that will go towards paying some of their expenses before they fly out to Glasgow at the beginning of next month.
The Harare businessman said they were also going to fulfil their promise of paying for a table during Team Zimbabwe’s fundraising dinner dance at Crowne Plaza Monomotapa in Harare tomorrow night.
Team Zimbabwe are looking at raising $20 000 that will enable them to take part in this year’s Homeless World Cup tournament.
Online Reporter