Warriors’ back-to-back 2021 African Cup of Nations
qualifiers scheduled for later this month have had the football authorities at
ZIFA scratching their heads. They have a bill of close to US$200 000 needed to
foot the opening fixtures of the 2021 Afcon campaign against Botswana and
Zambia. The matches are set to be played in a space of four days.
The Warriors are set to go into camp next week ahead of the
home game against Botswana at Barbourfields on November 15, before travelling
to Zambia to meet former African champions Chipolopolo on November 19.
ZIFA acting vice president Phillemon Machana, who is also
the board member responsible for finance, yesterday told The Herald that they
face a hectic month because of the back-to-back assignment.
Many of their prospective partners have taken the back seat
in this harsh economic environment where prices of goods and services have been
spiralling out of control.
Machana said they have secured quotations for air tickets
for 13 players based in Europe, 11 in South Africa and one in Zambia and they
were also working on the logistics for the players’ allowances, accommodation
and local transport.
“What I can only say is that it’s very expensive to host
back-to-back games of this kind,’’ he said.
“Imagine up to 70-80 percent of our players called for this
game are coming from outside the country and that would mean they have to be
flown in.
“From the quotation that we have, we would need something
like US$4 700 to bring in one player from Europe, inclusive of the airfares and
accommodation for the duration of the two games.
“The association needs about US$80 000 to travel with the
whole team to Zambia and this includes accommodation.
“This figure also covers the air tickets for the referees
and payment of the match commissioner for the home game.
“Then we will need camping for the two games. We need
transport and the allowances for the players, among many other things, yet the
economy is screaming like this.
“And we still have people (ZIFA creditors) coming after our
accounts every time we have these games. For now it seems like we are on our
own in this. We have been knocking on the doors of both the Government and
private sector.
“For some reason, they haven’t been able to come on board.
Maybe, it’s the economy. But make no mistake, we will make sure that the games
are fulfilled with what is available to us although we are saying the door is
still open to anyone who wants to chip in.’’
He said they were desperately in need of partners.
“We have always stated that ZIFA need partners, be it in
providing accommodation, transport, water, allowances for players or anything
that helps lessen the burden on the association,’’ he said.
“We welcome anyone who wants to partner us. We are a very
transparent organisation.
“In the past we have always held that sponsors can assist
in kind or that they can deal directly with the service providers, remembering
that this is a national project, not a ZIFA baby.’’
The Warriors are expected to begin camp in Bulawayo next
Monday, for the home match against Botswana.
ZIFA are happy that the Government has been helping with
securing passports for the players born, and raised abroad, like Macauley Bonne,
Adam Chicksen, Jordan Zemura, Tivonge Rushesha and Cliff Moyo.
“We appreciate that the Government has come in a big way to
help in this issue. It has taken long for players like Bonne, but we are happy
with what is happening,’’ said Machana.
“It’s a demonstration of common purpose and it shows this
is for Zimbabwe as a whole. We hope results will come as expected. When we
succeed, we succeed together.
“Of course, there are challenges in the economy, but we
have to concentrate more on the positives. The goal is to win our matches. It
has been long since we had such a high-profile match in Bulawayo.
“So we want the supporters in Bulawayo to come in their
numbers and support the boys. We have to fill up the stadium.’’
Warriors squad:
Goalkeepers: Elvis Chipezeze (Baroka) Martin Mapisa (Velez
CF) Simbarashe Chinani (Dynamos)
Defenders: Douglas Nyaupembe (Stockport County) Ian Nekati
(ZPC Kariba) Cliff Moyo (Kidderminister Harriers) Divine Lunga (Lamontville
Golden Arrows) Adam Chicksen (Bolton Wanderers) Jordan Zemura (Bournemouth)
Ronald Pfumbidzai (Bloemfontein Celtic) Teenage Hadebe (Yeni Malatyaspor) Alec
Mudimu (CEFN Druids) Partson Jaure (Manica Diamonds) Kelvin Moyo (Chippa
United)
Midfielders: Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims) Thabani
Kamusoko (Zesco United) Butholezwe Ncube (Amazulu) Marvelous Nakamba (Aston
Villa) Ovidy Karuru (Amazulu) Kudakwashe Mahachi (SuperSport United) Khama
Billiat (Kaizer Chiefs) Phenias Bamusi (CAPS United)
Strikers: Admiral Muskwe (Leicester City) Terrence
Dzvukamanja (Bidvest Wits) Prince Dube (Highlanders) Knowledge Musona (RSC
Anderlecht) Tinotenda Kadewere (Le Havre AC) Knox Mutizwa (Lamontville Golden
Arrows) Macauley Bonne (Charlton Athletic) Evans Rusike (SuperSport United)
Herald
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