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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Women Soccer League chairperson Rosemary Kanonge has said the coming on board of Econet Wireless through Kwese TV to support the Mighty Warriors’ participation in the Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifiers is a landmark development for the team.
The senior women side kick-started their campaign in the 2018 AWCON qualifiers on a winning note when they dismissed Namibia’s Brave Gladiators 4-0 on aggregate to advance to the second and final round of the qualifiers.
The announcement by Kwese TV that they will be taking over the sponsorship of the Mighty Warriors’ participation in the qualifiers can only be a major boost for the senior women side.
Kwese TV were the official broadcasters of the COSAFA Women Championship in Bulawayo last September.
Kanonge said the sponsorship has come at the right time and will motivate the players ahead of their tie against Zambia in June in the last qualifying round.
The tournament will be hosted by Ghana from November 17 to December 1.
“This is quite a motivator, it’s really a motivator for the girls and I am sure they will become energetic in response to that. These girls are talented, now that Econet is coming on board, they will make us proud, I am sure of that.
“Right now they are actually about to face Zambia, which is already in camp and is one of the strongest teams, so really with the coming up of the sponsorship they will be able to deliver,” said Kanonge.
Kanonge conceded the Mighty Warriors have faced several challenges in their efforts to represent the country.
“These girls are very seasoned players and understand the situation, had it not been because of their understanding, they would not be playing.
“What I see coming up, it’s just going to lift their spirit high. This is something big,” Kanonge said.
The Mighty Warriors were the first local football team to qualify for the Olympic Games, which is one of their greatest achievements.
The sponsorship was announced amid a stand-off between the Mighty Warriors and ZIFA over their dues.
Speaking during the belated International Women’s Day commemorations in Masvingo on Wednesday, Kwese TV Zimbabwe country head Dorothy Zimuto said they wanted to promote the interests of the Mighty Warriors.
“After learning about what the Mighty Warriors went through and as a woman and head of Kwese TV in Zimbabwe, I decided to adopt the Mighty Warriors so that they are paid as much money as their male counterparts,” said Zimuto.
Meanwhile, the Sports Commission yesterday said they have received a letter from ZIFA explaining the circumstances around the protest by the Mighty Warriors over their winning bonuses and allowances after their victory over Namibia.
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