Online Reporter
Robson Sharuko
H-Metro Editor
THIS time, next year, Zimbabwe will mark the 10th anniversary of the biggest moment in the history of local football − the Mighty Warriors’ participation at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
It was a monumental achievement given that the Mighty Warriors, beset by financial challenges and neglected by ZIFA, were given no chance at all to get that far.
In fact, so dire was the situation that they even failed to travel to fulfill their fixture against Cote d’Ivoire in Abidjan during the qualifiers.
They were supposed to be expelled from the tournament but CAF ordered the West Africans to fly to Harare for the reverse fixture and, when they refused, they were thrown out.
Somehow, the Mighty Warriors found themselves in the final qualifier and held Cameroon to a 2-2 draw in their backyard before winning 1-0 at Rufaro to book their ticket to Brazil.
They were largely outplayed in Brazil but showed great character to score in every game as they lost to Australia, Canada and Germany.
But, as the 10th anniversary of their milestone draws closer, the reality is that the Mighty Warriors are now in disarray and have lost their way badly since those good, old days of their Brazilian adventure.
They have become whipping girls and the flame has been fading in women’s football in this country. However, a new leadership, under Chido Chizondo, has brought a wave of hope.
But, amid all the chaos which has been happening in women’s football, one man has been on a grand mission to keep the game alive.
Innocent Benza, the businessman who owns and plays for his Premiership side Herentals, has been a source of irritation for some who claim that he makes a mockery of the domestic top-flight league.
His critics argue that he should retire from pursuing his passion to keep playing until his legs cannot run anymore.
It doesn’t matter to them that the club he plays for is fourth on the Premiership standings and comfortably ahead of the Big Three − Dynamos, CAPS United and Highlanders.
Those critics have also been blinded to the fact that Benza has been investing heavily in other facets of the domestic game, including women’s football.
Yesterday, his Herentals Queens flew out of Harare for their latest dance with the CAF Champions League.
They are set to play in a qualifier in South Africa.
What caught the eye was the way the Queens were dressed for their flight to Johannesburg.
They looked a very professional team, which is benefitting from the resources which are being pumped, to ensure that they can also compete on the continental level.
Benza’s critics will pretend that they are not seeing his investment into the Queens, which has turned them into serial champions on the local scene.
They will also pretend that they did not see any value in the smart way the Queens were dressed for this tour of duty.
Ten years after Brazil, there might be some hope, after all.
Mathew Masinge