Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa last night boosted the Warriors’ road to AFCON 2025 with a US$400 000 contribution towards players’ welfare, with the corporate world also challenged to support the national team efforts ahead of the Morocco adventure.
The financial injection was revealed by the Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Anselem Sanyatwe, who was the Guest of Honour at a send-off event organised by ZIFA in Harare.
Sanyatwe said football is a powerful force that brings peace and unity, a reminder that the Warriors are a shared responsibility for the whole nation.
“Allow me at this particular moment to express my heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa. His visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to sport continue to uplift our nation. His Excellency, the President, has consistently championed the growth of sport as a catalyst for youth empowerment, national unity and development,” said Minister Sanyatwe.
“It is my pleasure to testify that the recently announced national Budget reflects this commitment. It demonstrates the seriousness with which the government views sports, and in particular, football, as an essential part of our national progress.
“His Excellency, by investing in infrastructure, development programmes and athletic welfare, His Excellency has assured that our athletes are supported and that our national teams, not only soccer, operate within an environment that encourages excellency.
“Let me proudly inform you that the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe injected a total of US$400 000 from his office, and not fiscus, for the welfare of our Warriors during AFCON.”
The send-off ceremony was also attended by Deputy Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Emily Jesaya, who will lead the Zimbabwe contingent in Morocco, the Sports and Recreation Commission chairman Nathaniel Madzivanyika, ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi and his board members, the business community; and supporters.
The Minister urged the Warriors to give their best shot in the tough Group B which also has neighbours South Africa, Angola and North Africans Egypt.
“Based on my background as a military general, failure is not an option. We thank him for creating a conducive environment that allows Zimbabwean sport to grow and thrive.
“His guiding philosophy reminds us all of our duty to build a nation where progress reaches every Zimbabwean, in every corner of the country.
“This vision extends naturally into the realms of football where every child lives. Whether in the villages of Mutoko, schools in Tsholotsho, or the streets of Mbare, every child must have an opportunity to participate, to dream and to rise.
“Football, woven into the fabric of Zimbabwean life, is played on dusty grounds, bare-footed, school fields and community beaches and professional stadiums.
“It binds us together across geography, age, culture and background as Zimbabweans. Our responsibility as a nation is to ensure that no community and no child is left behind in the football journey,” said Minister Sanyatwe. ZIFA also unveiled the new Warriors jersey to be used at the AFCON tournament.
The strip was designed by local brand Warrior Pride.
Zimbabwe are set to leave for Morocco next Tuesday, December 16.
Warriors coach Marian “Super Mario” Marinica expressed mixed feelings as they resumed the training camp yesterday.
The Warriors welcomed a number of their foreign-based players yesterday, with a large contingent coming from South Africa.
Marinica said his plans were destabilised by FIFA’s decision to allow foreign clubs to release players by December 15.
“We had quite a difficult period, we could say, because obviously we were not able to get all the players as we wanted.
“As you probably know, CAF has pushed back and with FIFA have pushed back the preparation stages in a way, because on 8th (yesterday) we were supposed to have all the players by now to probably fly to Morocco to start preparing.
“So what we had to do; we had to do a camp, a pre-camp with mostly local players, with some foreign-based players, but mostly local players, which actually didn’t help that much on our preparation, because it kind of had the feeling for some players that it’s like a trial, but actually in fact we were looking to have a bigger project,” said Marinica. Marinica also received a depressing report from English Premiership side Wolverhampton Wanderers over Marshall Munetsi injury and a scare from Italy as Jordan Zemura limped off during a Serie-A match for his club, Udinese, last night.
“One of the, let’s say, setbacks was that we had also several injuries.
“Now we also probably talk about Marshal having, as you probably saw was limping and we had today some not great news from the club.
“So we have to see. It’s in progress, to see what actually is going to happen on that. And also Jalai, in that match suffered an injury, limped off. He’s at the moment on a programme and we hope, we pray, that actually he’s going to come with flying colour for the next few days,” said Marinica.
The final list is expected tomorrow.
