ZIFA in Warriors conundrum

FAILURE to timeously resolve the stadium crisis could potentially affect the Warriors’ 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, with ZIFA likely to host Nigeria outside the country next month.

ZIFA indicated that they are yet to finalise the venue of the senior team’s home assignment against the Super Eagles on November 20.

There were earlier indications that the match would be played in Rwanda.

The Warriors are expected to mark their return to competitive action when they visit Rwanda’s Amavubi (the Wasps) in Kigali on November 13.

A week later, the team, now under the tutelage of Baltemar Brito, would then have to host the Super Eagles.

Normalisation Committee chairperson Lincoln Mutasa said they had set their sights on Rwanda.

“We are working on hosting Nigeria in Rwanda and we are going to inform football stakeholders about it once discussions have been finalised,” said Mutasa.

Government has, however, since indicated that it has not yet been approached on the matter.

Responding to a question by Senator Chief Chikwakwa in the National Assembly last week, Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Emily Jesaya said: “We have not received any formal notification as a ministry on the intention to host Warriors games in Rwanda. When the Normalisation

Committee formally write to us, I will come back and report to this House on the matter.”

Similarly, during debate in the National Assembly last week, Premier Soccer League chairperson Farai Jere, who is also Member of Parliament for Murewa West, said it was “sad that we don’t have a stadium to host (international football) matches”.

“In his speech, the President emphasised the importance of sports . . . It’s something that I would want, as honourable MPs, to look at quickly and put it into law so that we can have at least one stadium meeting international standards,” Jere said.

Costs

Mutasa is worried about the costs ZIFA would incur in staging the Warriors assignments “home away from home”.

“Yes, there are financial losses to be incurred but this is a sticky situation that we find ourselves in,” he said.

“What saddens us the most is that supporters will miss an opportunity to watch their beloved team at home after a long time without international football.

“While we would have wanted to get revenue from the match, what is important for us is to give footballers a rare opportunity to play the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. “You can never put a cost to that. “Naturally, the football association foots its own bills, if it is within their means, but help from our partners will be accepted.”

He, however, insists the committee, which clocked 100 days in office on Friday, will ensure the Warriors are adequately prepared for their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Although the Warriors were scheduled to play Botswana in an international friendly last week, the arrangement fell through.

They ended up playing a practice match against a Northern Region select side, which they lost 3-1.

The Warriors were without their European-based stars such as Marshall Munetsi, Jordan Zemura and Marvelous Nakamba.

Mutasa says Brito has since put forward a list of foreign-based players he wants and engagements with their respective clubs have begun.

“We are as prepared as we need to be,” he said.

“Everything that has to be done is being arranged to ensure the matches go on smoothly.

“The engagement has already commenced and it’s being handled by the secretariat.”

While acknowledging the challenges his committee have faced, Mutasa remains confident they will deliver on their mandate.

“Well, the tenure has had its successes and challenges, but that was expected because we came into a space that had been struggling for a long time,” he added.

“We are optimistic we will fulfil our mandate to normalise football administration in Zimbabwe.”

The Normalisation Committee also includes Mutasa’s deputy Cynthia Malaba, Rosemary Mugadza, Sikhumbuzo Ndebele and Nyasha Sanyamandwe.