Snubbed: No funds availed to fly Warriors supporters to Cameroon
For the first time since Zimbabwe first qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations at the turn of the millennium, there is no purse that has been set aside to fly Warriors’ supporters to the continental football showpiece and Warriors’ fans are livid!
Warriors’ supporters are among the casualties of a war that is brewing between the suspended Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) board and the Sport and Recreation Commission.
“This is the first time that the Warriors have gone to an Africa Cup of Nations tournament without its supporters. It had become a norm in previous AFCON editions,” Zimbabwe National Soccer Supports Association (ZNSSA) secretary general Joseph Mutawu told Zim Morning Post.
Zimbabwe’s previous AFCON encounters have seen ZIFA footing the bill for travel and accommodation for Warriors’ supporters.
Government has also in the past chipped in by arranging fundraising campaigns and imploring the corporate sector to assist.
At the previous AFCON edition in Egypt, ZIFA received funds from fuel tycoon Kuda Tagwirei to cater for at least 40 fans.
Following the suspension of the ZIFA board, financing the tournament has been left on Government’s doorstep.
“This year’s tournament is proving to be a different one since the Government has no capacity to finance the travel of supporters to Cameroon,” said Mutawu.
“With the Zimbabwean Warriors have already left for Cameroon at the end of December 2022 for acclimatization and friendly matches, the Warriors fans had hoped that they would follow just in time before our first game against Senegal on the 10th of January 2022,” he continued.
“As Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters Association, a body that represents all Zimbabwean soccer supporters and fans, we approached the government through the Sports and Recreation Commission to hear its position in terms of the Warriors supporters.”
“The SRC made it very clear that it was seized by making sure that the Warriors team was well catered for. They had made sure that the team had prepared well for the tournament. In terms of camping, travelling, accommodation in Cameroon. The Government made sure that team could also play two friendly matches before the commencement of the 33rd AFCON tournament. It also made sure that team was paid its allowance on time to boost morale. All of these expenses were wholly financed by the government of Zimbabwe,” he said.
“After all these expenses, the Government was left with no money to send supporters to Cameroon. As ZNSSA we understood Government’s position and applaud them for making sure our Warriors were well taken care of.”
Be that as it may, Warriors’ supporters are still hoping against hope for a last minute inclusion.
“Supporters play a pivotal role for the success of team. Most teams win big matches because of its fans and supporters urging the teams to fight on from the terraces. Supporters’ voices can intimidate opposing teams into submission. Supporters raise the spirits of the players during these high profile tournaments like AFCON,” said Mutawu.
“Supporters are a morale booster for team. They are like a turbo in a car’s engine. Therefore, as ZNSSA, we urge our Government to do whatever in its power to send some Warriors supporters to Cameroon. We know there are also companies and corporates out there who have passion for the Warriors, you can also chip in and sponsor a few supporters to the tournament. All you need to do is to get in touch with SRC or come direct to Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters Association. We know it’s too late but all hope is not lost. As ZNSSA we say Go Warriors Go. Bring the trophy home our Warriors.”
Zimbabwe will be fighting with their back against the wall after a number of senior players opted out of the tournament due to injury.
The Warriors are in group B alongside Senegal, Guinea and Malawi.
