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The new Zifa board has pledged to follow up on a promise made nine years ago to reward the women’s senior football team with 30 residential stands in recognition of their success in international competitions.
This was revealed by the association’s president, Nqobile Magwizi, during presentations to the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC), where he sought assistance in bringing the long-standing matter to a conclusion.
The promise to provide residential stands as a reward to the Mighty Warriors was announced by the then Minister of Sport and Recreation, Makhosini Hlongwane, after the team had qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics and the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations.
However, nine years later, the beneficiaries are still waiting to receive their stands. Magwizi stated that the new Zifa board, which was ushered in last month, is eager to ensure the promise is fulfilled.
“When the women went to the Olympics in 2016, they were promised some stands. Am I correct?” He asked while addressing the SRC board members and staff.
“So, we are going to come to you with that issue. We want to follow it up. That’s what we want. These national team players, who raised our flag high at that time, were given that promise.
“So, I hope you will be able to enlighten us on that matter because it is a very important issue. It sets the right tone and attitude, even for us as an administration, to be able to fulfil our obligations,” said Magwizi.
The Mighty Warriors became the first football team from Zimbabwe to qualify for the finals of a major global tournament when they made it to the Olympic Games in 2016. They achieved this feat by defeating continental giants Cameroon in the final qualifier the previous year.
The Mighty Warriors also qualified for the finals of the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations after beating Zambia in the final qualifying round.
It was during a celebratory dinner following their qualification that Hlongwane announced the government’s intentions.
At the time, Hlongwane stated that the government was not in a position to offer cash rewards but would provide 30 housing stands in Harare instead.
“From our side as government, we have decided that in the absence of cash, which is difficult given the constraints within our fiscal space, we are going to go in kind,” Hlongwane said then.
“And I can announce now that we have put together, here in Harare today (Monday), 30 residential stands for the Mighty Warriors… That’s the government’s appreciation of what the girls have done.”
The members of the Mighty Warriors squad have since made several unsuccessful attempts to follow up on the promise.
SRC chairman Gerald Mlotshwa agreed that if a promise was made publicly, it should be honoured.
Fellow Commissioner Nigel Munyati also highlighted the ongoing neglect of women’s football.
“It’s actually reminding me of something about football and women. There has been a tendency to view women’s football as a lower-tier institution, with more attention given to the Warriors than the Mighty Warriors. They don’t receive the same level of support.
“But something we should all remember is that the most significant achievements in Zimbabwean football have actually come from women’s football.
“They made it to the Olympics in 2016 – the men haven’t gotten that far. So, we must appreciate that. I think this is an area that needs to change,” said Munyati.
Meanwhile, the Mighty Warriors are currently in camp preparing for the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 qualifiers against Angola later this month.
They will face Angola on 20 February in Luanda before hosting them at their adopted home, Lucas Moripe Stadium in South Africa, as Zimbabwe currently does not have a CAF-approved stadium for international matches.
If they overcome Angola, Zimbabwe will then face the winner between Malawi and Congo.
Coach Sithethelwe Sibanda expressed satisfaction with her team’s progress in training.
“We have completed our weekly training cycle, and there has been significant progress from the players,” she said over the weekend.
“Our main focus this week was to improve their fitness levels to at least close to performance level, which has gone well. Right now, we are about 75 percent there.
“This means they can now compete, and we still have another week to go. We will continue working on the tactical aspects while supporting their conditioning to ensure we are fully prepared on match day,” said Sibanda.
Online Reporter