WHY HAS OUR KIT LOST ITS GLITTER?

Robson Sharuko

Editor

JUST three years ago, the Warriors kit at the 2021 AFCON finals was hailed as one of the best kits in the history of the Nations Cup finals.

The unique Umbro jersey featured a design reminiscent of the Zimbabwe flag and was recognized by BBC Sport as one of the best kits in the tournament’s history.

Josh Warwick, the co-founder of the Cult Kits website, contributed to the selection by BBC Sport of the best jerseys, in AFCON history, in the countdown to the 2023 Nations Cup finals.

“This is definitely one of the best AFCON shirts of recent tournaments,” said Warwick.

“The thick brushes of red, black, green and yellow are an entirely welcome assault on the eyes. Gorgeous.”

But, just a few years down the line, we seem to have lost our way in terms of the kits which our men and women are now wearing when they plunge into action in international football matches.

Right now, the Warriors have a Puma kit, which they have been using in their international assignments.

It’s the same kit which the Young Warriors are using in their COSAFA Cup Under-20 AFCON qualifiers in Mozambique.

Then kit is lifeless and appears to have been picked from a warehouse in downtown Harare or just from any of the sports shops across the capital.

It looks more like the kit of Division One side Golden Eagles or American Major League Side Columbus Crew.

Its alternative white version gives it an impression that it is more of the kit used by the Black Stars of Ghana than the Warriors of Zimbabwe.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the year when the Warriors made their debut appearance at the AFCON finals in Tunisia.

Peter Ndlovu and his Warriors trailblazers were kitted by Italian sportswear firm, L-Sporto, at that tournament.

The Warriors were one of the most fashionable teams at that tournament and caught the eye of many neutrals.

Felix Sapao, the Malawian sports agent who brokered the deal for the Warriors to use the L-Sporto kit at that tournament, has been mooting the idea of producing a commemorative kit to celebrate 20 years of that partnership.

One would have expected to have seen an improvement in the kits of the Warriors in the past two decades.

At the 2021 Nations Cup finals, this appeared to be the case as the quality of the Warriors kit was celebrated across the world.

However, on the 20th anniversary of their L-Sporto kit at the 2004 AFCON finals, the Warriors have taken many steps backwards and have a kit which does not fit their profile.

With a number of local manufacturers, who include Viego and Dakarayi, upping their game and producing some of the best kits in the domestic Premiership, one wonders why ZIFA are not considering these companies to provide kit for the Warriors.

The Herentals away kit, which was produced by Viego, is probably the best in the league while Dakarayi hit the bull’s eye with their kits for TelOne and Division One side MWOS.

China-based Walter “Ringers” Musanhu’s company has also provided some fine kits for CAPS United and Division One side Scottland.