Hlongwane drums up support LET’S GO FOR IT . . . ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa (left) stresses a point at a media conference, which he addressed in the company of Sports and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane in Harare yesterday
LET’S GO FOR IT . . . ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa (left) stresses a point at a media conference, which he addressed in the company of Sports and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane in Harare yesterday

LET’S GO FOR IT . . . ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa (left) stresses a point at a media conference, which he addressed in the company of Sports and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane in Harare yesterday

Sports Reporter
SPORTS and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane says the Africa Cup of Nations Cup qualifier against Malawi is a must-win tie for the Warriors. He has urged football supporters to come out in full force at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow to give the Warriors maximum support. The minister yesterday addressed a press conference, flanked by ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa, Association vice-president Omega Sibanda and board member Piraishe Mabhena to drum up support for the national team.

“It’s a crucial match that we are going to be involved in against Malawi. It’s a game that Zimbabwe must win at all costs, it’s a game that requires the support of everybody in the country from us as the government and ZIFA being the leading stakeholder involved with the match.

“But, most importantly, we are calling on all Zimbabweans to take their time and come to the National Stadium to land their very crucial support to our boys in order for us to win this crucial encounter.

“Obviously, a win against Malawi enhances our chances of qualifying for Gabon 2017, which is in January next year. “I have in my discussion with the ZIFA president challenged him that this is Zimbabwe’s time. “We want to see the AFCON Cup come to Zimbabwe and obviously they are very busy trying to find several ways of investing into the team with a view to realising that important objective.

“The long and short of it all is that all roads lead to the National Sports Stadium. We want everybody to take part by way of supporting and rallying behind our team.” Hlongwane, who also congratulated national team winger Khama Billiat for dominating the South Africa Premiership awards night, said he was a good ambassador for Zimbabwe in Africa.

“I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Khama Billiat for winning three awards in the South African Premier League and for being the Soccer Star in that country. He obviously has done a very good job of enhancing Brand Zimbabwe.

“We at the Ministry of Sport do encourage that hard work as demonstrated by Khama Billiat and want to encourage many other players that are plying their trade in lands far away from Zimbabwe to emulate the hard work of Billiat and also get that coveted Soccer Star of the Year award in the areas where they are operating in.

“We are very elated as Zimbabwe that Khama has done that for us, hoisting Zimbabwe’s flag high in South Africa. “At the moment South Africa have some of the best organised football and becoming a Soccer Star in South Africa is really like becoming a Soccer Star of the African continent.

“So we appreciate the good work that the young man has done,” said Hlongwane. There have been concerns over the gate charges, which have been pegged at $5 for the cheapest ticket, $10 for bays 15-18 and $50 for the VIP area are too high.

ZIFA president Chiyangwa said the prices were justified because of the huge expenses to host the match. “Let’s look at this match and the costs associated with it. In terms of what we pay to the various collectors of the commissions, the players and the services providers.

“What is important is to understand the cost benefit analysis of why we arrived at this figure. If we play for a loss, how are we going to pay the players? It’s better to charge what we think could meet all the expenses.

“ZIFA at the moment is reeling in serious debts because the people who were there before us were not doing things the way that tallies with the costs,” said Chiyangwa. He urged the supporters to come to the stadium early to avoid congestion and delays on the turnstiles. All the tickets will be sold at the gates to avoid counterfeits and financial leakages.

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