Stands for Mighty Warriors

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
FOLLOWING the Mighty Warriors’ successful campaign in the Africa Women Cup of Nations that saw them qualifying for the finals in Cameroon, the senior national women’s soccer side is set to get 30 residential stands for their efforts from the Government.

The announcement was made by Sport and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane on Monday at a dinner held in Harare for the team after their arrival from Zambia

“From our side as Government we have decided that in the absence of cash which is difficult given the constraints within our fiscal space, we are going to go kind,” said Hlongwane.

“And I can announce now that we have put together here in Harare today (Monday) 30 residential stands for the Mighty Warriors.

“And Dr (Philip) Chiyangwa is going to take over from me. I have already told him the details he is aware of what is supposed to be done so that during the course of this week each one of you (Mighty Warriors team members) is shown their stand.

“That’s the Government’s appreciation of what the girls have done,” said Hlongwane.

The senior national women’s side have proved to be one of the most successful teams in the country with their outstanding achievements over the past few months.

They became the first football team from this country to qualify for the Olympic Games last year in October when they beat Cameroon.

They then pulled through to the finals of the Africa Women Cup of Nations over the weekend when they beat Zambia 4-2 on aggregate in the final qualifying round.

The finals will be staged in Cameroon from November 19 to December 3.

Hlongwane said there is need to change the attitude towards women in sport and start appreciating their success stories and contribution to the nation.

“Zimbabwe has yearned for success on the sporting field for far too long and these girls have provided the answers that continue to elude us.

“And unfortunately because our society is arrested by the demons of patriarch we don’t see as a movement the necessity of going to the stadium when our girls are playing.

“Notwithstanding the fact that they are the ones who bring success on the table and that is very unfortunate.

“The corporate sector does not easily come on board because they don’t see the numbers in the stadiums when these girls are playing. Notwithstanding our girls have shown a durability that is outstanding.

“They have shown a resilience that can be compared to none and as we speak right now they are the champions of the sport movement in our country. And as a country we have not been fair to these young girls, all of us as a collective.

“They have continued to vindicate why they are on the field of play every time with an indisputable performance that deliver success.

“And that should help us change our attitude and should help us migrate away from a fixation that because they are women they are not capable. As it turns out that, that actually is not correct, women can do better than man,” Hlongwane said.

ZIFA president, Chiyangwa, said the stands will be allocated to the players before the end of this week.

“I made a request and the Government responded and I think there will be an announcement on the Warriors. But we have heard an announcement that the Mighty Warriors will be given their stands this week.

“The Mighty Warriors lived up to their name and made sure that we would be in Rio in August and then to Yaoundé in November. That is the stuff any association would care for.

“As the custodians of local football we commit ourselves to resource our Mighty Warriors ahead of these important tournaments,” said Chiyangwa.

The ZIFA president said they are going to reward the team for qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations and also pay what they owe the players although he could not reveal the figures.

“I will be honest that up to now I don’t know the amounts that are still outstanding. But I am into ZIFA to make sure that problems are sorted out. Certainly if there is anything outstanding particularly with this victory I will be able to deal with it as soon as possible.

“We will make the announcement. All I wanted was to make sure that we don’t announce things without looking at whether the money that is coming from CAF and FIFA is in the account.

“As soon as that money is in the account I will cut something out and give them,” said Chiyangwa.

The function was also attended by Member of Parliament for Pumula Constituency Godfrey Malaba, Zimbabwe Olympic Committee chief executive Anna Mguni, and director of sport in the Sport and Recreation Ministry Eugenia Chidhakwa.

Zimbabwe football legend, Moses Chunga, a former captain of the Warriors, also graced the occasion.

Meanwhile, former Mighty Warriors coach Benedict “Grinder” Moyo, who was in charge of the team when they first qualified for the women’s version of the Africa Cup of Nations finals in 2000, believes the team is back where it belongs.

The seasoned administrator says the team has great potential to excel at the continental showcase in Cameroon this November after they qualified for their fourth appearance.

“It is good for the country, the Southern Region and the team that they have qualified. We have always been a powerhouse but things had gone quiet for some time.

“But I have always believed that as long as the girl child is supported she can excel to dizzy heights,” said Moyo.

“When I went to South Africa with the team I ended up requesting a physiotherapist from Leo (Mugabe) to come and assist.

Zimbabwe is now advanced have technical people and they must engage them.

“During that tournament I observed that Zimbabwe were coming short in terms of preparations.

“We also fell short in physical terms against teams like Nigeria and Ghana. They had stamina but by the time we went for the third edition we knew the players to field and what to expect.

“Each game at such a tournament is different and a coach needs support and expert advice for each game before playing rather than just plunging onto the pitch,” said Moyo.

Former Mighty Warriors skipper Nomsa “Boyz” Moyo also paid tribute to the players for achieving what her class failed to achieve during her time.

“It is their time to shine and going to AFCON coming from the Olympics they should use that exposure to do well and make a statement in Africa.

“There are no longer small teams in football and with right attitude they can conquer,” she said.