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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
SPORT and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane has rallied the Mighty Warriors to raise the nation’s flag high tomorrow when they host Cameroon in the decider for the 2016 Olympic Games qualifiers.

Zimbabwe are on the verge of qualifying for next year’s Olympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, after scoring an important away goal in their 2-1 defeat in the reverse fixture in Yaoundé, Cameroon, two weeks ago.

And, tomorrow, they need, at least, a 1-0 victory over their opponents to qualify for the Games. And Hlongwane took time to attend the Mighty Warriors training session yesterday at Gwanzura where he encouraged the players to focus on Sunday’s game.

“On Sunday you have the game of your life, the reason why I came here is to assure you that you have my support as Minister of Sport. I think all you need to do is play your game well, let’s play well, let’s defeat the Cameroonians.

“Let’s not worry that we were defeated 2-1 (in the first leg). You are 90 minutes away from Brazil, Rio de Janeiro,” said Hlongwane.

The minister said as part of Government’s sport development process, they are focusing on gender balance and urged all stakeholders to come on board to support the women’s side.

“Government has developed as part of its sport development process a focal area on equity and inclusion.

“This focal area must necessarily address the gender disparities in sport participation and the gaps that exist in promoting access to all sport codes by women and the disabled.

“The Mighty Warriors team must begin to be supported by the collective of all in the corporate sector, governmental sector as well as well-wishers as part of our national language of removing barriers for the girl child.

“On Sunday they have the game of their life and for those 90 minutes they will be carrying the collective aspirations and hopes of all football-loving Zimbabweans.

“The Mighty Warriors have an opportunity of changing the grammar of football headlines in Zimbabwe.

“Therefore all manner of Zimbabweans must converge at Rufaro Stadium to lend support that may see these Warriors make it to Rio Olympics 2016,” said Hlongwane.

Hlongwane, who mobilised resources for the team’s trip to Cameroon, said Government has intervened to take care of the team’s accommodation expenses at Courteney Hotel where they are staying.