PRESIDENT Mnangagwa took time to discuss football matters on
the sidelines of the 12th extraordinary African Union (AU) summit on free trade
areas and was involved in a banter with DR Congo President FĂ©lix Tshisekedi
following the Warriors hammering at the hands of the Congolese Leopards in
their last Group A match at the 2019 AFCON tournament in Egypt.
Before the summit, President Mnangagwa said he met other
Heads of State, among them the DRC President Tshisekedi, and had time to laugh
over the most recent football result involving the two sub-Saharan nations.
Zimbabwe beat DRC 2-1 in their backyard and then played a
1-1 stalemate in the return leg at the National Sports Stadium during the 2019
AFCON qualifiers.
Interestingly, the two teams were paired again at the
finals of the tournament in Egypt and apparently Zimbabwe had the bragging
rights when they squared up for the decisive Group A tie in Cairo on June 30.
A win could have seen the Warriors through to the last 16,
but the Leopards had other ideas this time around as they cruised to a
comprehensive 4-0 win which saw them progressing to the next round at the
expense of the Warriors, who went on to finish bottom of the group with one
point.
“I had discussions with Democratic Republic of Congo
President, but it was on football matters. He was enjoying himself laughing at
me that (President Mnangagwa pauses and starts laughing) DRC won over the
Warriors this time around.
“It’s a compliment that DRC has a new President, so the
people and players are enthused by the new President and have awarded him a
victory over Zimbabwe Warriors on a big margin (President Mnangagwa laughs).”
The President also attended a dinner banquet with other AU
leaders hosted by Niger President Mahammod Issoufu.
The President was joined on the dance floor by his DRC
counterpart dancing to the traditional and Afro jazz music.
President Mnangagwa showed his enthusiasm for football when
he set up a fund-raising committee and led by example when he poured in US$250
000 as well as 300 000 RTGS as allowances and welfare for the Warriors during a
fundraising dinner held before the team’s departure for the AFCON finals last
month.
At the dinner, President Mnangagwa said the country should
transform itself into a football powerhouse by 2030.
The President commended the fundraising committee for their
dedication while also challenging the media to report positively as the
Warriors represent the nation in Egypt.
“I would like to commend the fundraising committee, for
bringing together all the stakeholders, for this worthy cause. Football, the
world over, indeed, occupies a special place in many people’s hearts, but to
us, politicians, we wish to appear at football matches so that on voting day
you will remember us,’’ the President said.
“It also unites nations and helps bring social cohesion and
harmony within countries.
“In our Second Republic, sport in general, and football in
particular, as a mass sport, must be a vital instrument for enhancing peace,
empowerment and national cohesion,” said the President.
The Warriors opened the 2019 Nations Cup finals with a
high-profile showdown against the Pharaohs at the Cairo International Stadium
on June 21, in which they lost 1-0. They then drew 1-1 with Uganda before
bowing out of the tournament at the group stage for the fourth time in as many
attempts following the 4-0 defeat to the DRC. Herald
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