Zimpapers Logo

HOLY BLESSINGS . . . Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries leader Prophet Walter Magaya hands over some of the gifts, including anointing oil, to the Mighty Warriors at the church’s service in Harare last night ahead of the team’s All-Africa Games qualifier tomorrow.

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
MIGHTY Warriors skipper Felistas Muzongondi has urged football supporters to rally behind the team as they go into the battlefield against Ghana tomorrow at Rufaro in the final qualifying match for the All-Africa Games.

Zimbabwe suffered a 1-2 defeat in Accra three weeks ago and need to win tomorrow’s tie to qualify for the finals in Senegal.

The All-Africa Games were originally scheduled for Brazzaville, Congo but have since been moved to Senegal.

Muzongondi said they were determined to win tomorrow’s match but they need all the support they can get from the fans.

“I think the away goal we got kept us in the game because we were away. What we need now are the supporters.

“We went there, played against Ghana at their home and saw their play. We made mistakes and we have been working on that at our training sessions.

“But what we need most is support from the nation, so I am urging the supporters to come in their numbers so that we can beat Ghana.

“We need our fans, they can contribute to the result. When we were in Ghana they took advantage of that so we also want to take advantage of that and have our supporters rallying behind us because we need to win this game.

“It’s an advantage to be home but sometimes when you are at home you will be under pressure because when they (Ghana) were at their home they were under pressure because we were attacking.

“Morale is very high, we have been encouraging each other and reminding each other that we should not lose focus.

“We just have to be confident,” said Muzongondi.

Mighty Warriors coach, Rosemary Mugadza, said it would be a tough assignment.

“It’s not going to be an easy game because both teams are eager to qualify. Ghana might come with a defensive mind, not wanting to concede, but we are going to play our normal game.

“We are going to defend as a team and attack as a team,” said Mugadza.

She said after missing the African Women Championships last year, progressing to the All-Africa Games will restore confidence in the team.

“I think right now they have the hunger to qualify as you know we failed to qualify for the African Women Championships as we lost to Zambia.

“This is the time for them to rise and shine again.

“The more you qualify for major competitions the more you are exposed to high level of competition.

“It’s been two weeks of hard work.

“We are happy with the way the girls have been applying themselves. We hope they continue with the hardwork come Sunday and we might get the result that we want.

“They must not be under pressure playing at home but they just have to apply themselves,” Mugadza said.

There are 25 players in camp and the final 18 will be announced today ahead of tomorrow’s game.

Gate charges for the game have been pegged at $1 for rest of the ground and $2 for the upper grand stand.

The VIP tickets have been pegged at $3.

Acting ZIFA president, Omega Sibanda, urged fans to come out in their numbers to support the Mighty Warriors.

“We appeal to the fans to come out in numbers for this national cause and make sure that the girls feel they are loved and if we rally behind them, they can do wonders for the nation,” said Sibanda.

“They are flying our national flag and we have to be there at Rufaro to cheer them because they will be playing for our country and we know that they will not disappoint a nation that believes they will succeed.

“We also wish the Young Warriors all the best in Cameroon and they showed us in the first leg that they can compete against the West Africans and all they need is not to be intimidated.

“When you carry the name of the Warriors, you can hunt anywhere, and we are telling the boys that the whole nation is fully behind them and they can cheer us, as we are about to celebrate our Independence, by getting the result that we are all praying for.”