Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE vice-chairperson of the Road to AFCON sub-committee Ruveheneko Parirenyatwa has appealed to the corporate world and Zimbabweans across all sectors to demonstrate pride and solidarity by rallying behind the association’s efforts to mobilise funds for the Warriors ahead of the AFCON 2025 tournament to be held in Morocco next month.
Addressing the media at the official launch of the Road to AFCON 2025 fundraising campaign in Harare yesterday, Parirenyatwa unveiled several corporate sponsorship packages, as well as brand promotions that will see supporters winning all-expenses paid trips to Morocco for the AFCON tournament, as well as a brand new vehicle.
Parirenyatwa said the aim was to raise enough funds for the Warriors so that they can compete at the same level with their peers in the region.
“We want this to be an exciting campaign. We realise that football is so big for Zimbabwe. Locally, the teams are doing well.
“There’s so much hype again. There’s effort in the stadium. So, soccer is becoming something big at the heart of Zimbabweans again.
“This Road to AFCON is supposed to make Zimbabweans rally behind our Warriors. There’s been a lot of talk, and we want to now walk the talk.
“Basically, what the Road to AFCON looks like is a campaign designed by this committee, but obviously still working with the main ZIFA body,” said Parirenyatwa.
The fundraising campaign has four main pillars which include corporate sponsorship, title sponsorship, kit sponsorship and associate sponsorship and these have different packages.
Then there is also the supporting sponsor, which aims to engage small partners like companies and individuals who want to be part of the campaign.
ZIFA will also conduct a brand raffle where tickets will be sold across the nation for participants over the age of 18 years with the potential to win goodies. The first prize will be a brand new Ashok truck.
The supporters also stand to win an all-expense paid trip to watch the first two matches of the Warriors.
Parirenyatwa also said there is a travel package to watch the Warriors’ opening game against Egypt in Agadir on December 22.
Zimbabwe will play Angola on Boxing Day in Marrakech and South Africa on December 29, again in Marrakech.
As part of the Road to AFCON initiative, ZIFA will launch a nationwide replica jersey campaign where Zimbabweans will be encouraged to wear the Warriors jerseys on certain days of the week to raise awareness and show support for the team.
The committee has also put in place a countrywide donation drive targeting all Zimbabweans irrespective of age.
“Every contribution makes a difference. That’s why we said all ages. So, that’s what we want. The donation helps to get the Zimbabwe Warriors to Morocco.
“The resources are not easy to put together. But like we said, we don’t want our team to be embarrassed. We don’t want negative stories about their camp. So, we want them to be at the highest level and compete with all those other teams at the highest level.
“Football is a people’s game. Our goal is to bring football back to the people, regardless of age, gender, or background.
“Every Zimbabwean must feel part of this journey. So, the campaign is for everyone,” said Parirenyatwa.
Zimbabwe will be among the 24 finalists at the tournament that runs from December 21 to January 18, 2026. This is the sixth time that the Warriors will be gracing the AFCON finals jamboree.
Previously the team has encountered challenges due to shortage of funding, leading to discord in the camp and sometimes threats of boycotts.
Zimbabwe will be looking to go past the group stages for the first time at the tournament and the Road to AFCON 2025 fundraising team has been tasked with mobilising funds to prevent a recurrence of the past maladies.
“This is going to be a very expensive tournament,” Parirenyatwa said.
“We want to make sure our players are well taken care of wherever they are; that they have good hospitality, they’ve got good food, they’ve got good accommodation and transport, and that they look on point and that they’re happy. That’s important for us,” said Parirenyatwa.
The Warriors have already started preparations for the continental football jamboree under new coach Marian Mario Marinica.
They played Algeria in an international friendly match on Thursday evening and lost 1-3. The Warriors capitulated in the first half when they conceded three times due to defensive lapses.
Zimbabwe, who are likely to encounter the same kind of intensity when they play Egypt at AFCON finals, got priceless lessons from sparring with the Algerians.
Zimbabwe, still searching for their first win in a year, are set to play their second international friendly match during this FIFA window when they engage Qatar in Doha on Monday.
