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Cosafa Championship at Rufaro Stadium in Harare last Saturday.
Each of the 20 players who participated in the fourth edition of the tournament pocketed US$4 000.
The eight-member technical department – including coaches and the medical team – received US$5 000 each.
The Mighty Warriors edged South Africa’s Banyana Banyana 1-0, courtesy of a stunning header by Rufaro Machingura.
Speaking at a reception he hosted for the team at State House yesterday, the President described the win as historic.
He said the Mighty Warriors’ victory had lifted the spirits of all Zimbabweans.
President Mugabe, who was accompanied by the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe, daughter Bona and Vice President Joice Mujuru, said the Government would continue to assist the Mighty Warriors.
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“This money is not for training purposes. No. We want them to share it among themselves and their technical team. They should get at least US$4 000 each. For the remainder, the leadership should see how they can use the money or distribute it among themselves.”
The President said Government would also chip in with more financial assistance.
The Mighty Warriors, who are leaving for a two-week training camp in Germany on July 22, will participate in the All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique.
The games will be held between September 3 and 18.
“We will see what to prepare for you for your training programmes ahead. This is for now,” he said.
President Mugabe, however, bemoaned the failure by the men’s soccer team to emulate their female counterparts.
“We wonder why the men’s soccer team does not do great things like these. Yes, we have beaten some teams in other matches but this kind of victory, where you bring something from a tournament featuring many teams, is not forthcoming.”
He challenged Zifa president Cuthbert Dube to spur on the Warriors to do well in tournaments they participate in.
President Mugabe, however, said the Mighty Warriors victory would remain etched in the people’s minds forever.
“It is history. It will always remain in our minds. It is, however, a victory that would beg for more victories.”
He said soccer fans would always cherish the moment in the 85th minute when Zimbabwe scored the memorable goal.
“They (South Africa) thought it would be a draw and you said hazviite, hazviite, hazviite. Tsoka yaRufaro, kuRufaro, yakaunza rufaro thereby transporting us, as it hit the ball and it was a score. It transported us up, up, up to the topmost seat of the Cosafa Women’s Championship.
“Even the angels will enjoy.”
President Mugabe said sporting achievements should benefit the athletes financially.
“They say while failure is an orphan, success has many fathers and mothers. Nhasi uno tose tinoti ndisu takahwina. I go much further and say let success bring many purses, ehe, full, swelling purses from which you draw to meet your needs in the future.”
President Mugabe expressed hope that the Mighty Warriors’ victory will attract sponsorship from the corporate world.
He admitted Government’s failure to financially support sport in Zimbabwe.
“(Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister) Va(Lazarus) Dokora vashoropodza hurumende kuti haisikubatsira zvakakwana. Ehe, dzimwe nguva hurombo, kusafarira mitambo, dzimwe nguva kusada, whatever the ill might be. However, the fact is, yes, we had not given full commitment to sport and especially soccer which is the most favoured sport,” he said.
President Mugabe, who is the team’s chief patron, watched the Mighty Warriors lose to the same opponents in last year’s Unity Day Cup.
“Last year I witnessed their match with South Africa, although they played very well, it was then that I said, well, you will have your chance in the future.
“I was present and we lost. This time I was away and you encountered South Africa again and you won. I wish I was present but I was away in South Sudan,” he said.
The President said he would also honour ultra-marathon runner Stephen Muzhingi at a ceremony to be announced.
Muzhingi won his third straight Comrades Marathon in South Africa recently.
President Mugabe handed over 100 soccer balls to the Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Ministry for development.
VP Mujuru, Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere and Zanu-PF Politburo member Cde Tendai Savanhu, worked with banks and captains of industry to mobilise the money.
BancABC contributed US$50 000 while other companies chipped in with the remainder.
President Mugabe also paid tribute to Women’s Soccer boss Mavis Gumbo and her board for their achievements.
Gumbo, however, missed the reception as she is currently attending a women’s football symposium in Frankfurt, Germany.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Dokora said Government was working on reviewing levies charged by local authorities for hosting matches.
Council charges 20 percent of gross gatetakings from hosting teams.
The reception was also attended by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr Gideon Gono, Zifa president Cuthbert Dube, Sport and Recreation Commission board members and Zimbabwe Olympic Committee vice president Busi Chindove among others.
Online Reporter