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Tadious Manyepo

Sports Reporter

KUDA “Take Money’’ Chiwandire has been in camp perfecting her ring-craft since the beginning of this week. 

She was hosted at the Mashwede Village in Glen View on Sunday night as businesses try to aid her focus. 

The 26-year-old is billed to defend her World Boxing Council interim super-bantamweight title against Mexican Zulina Munoz on October 1 at the Harare International Conference Centre. 

And she has been getting a flurry of support from Zimbabweans in all corners of the world, including from South Africa. 

The footballer-turned-karateka-turned boxer is humbled by the latest messages of support from South Africa-based Zimbabwe football legends led by ex-CAPS United star Edelbert Dinha. Chiwandire was with these legends when she camped in South Africa for the better part of last month preparing for this fight which was initially scheduled for August 27. The legends were put together by funeral services company Zororo Phumulani which is powered by Doves Zimbabwe. 

And the entity, which has pledged more financial support for Chiwandire early this week, gathered the legends who conveyed messages of support for the pugilist. 

The former players are also expected to grace the fight, courtesy of the same company. 

Dinha said Chiwandire deserves all the support as she is representing the country. 

“This is the first boxer from Zimbabwe to reach this level. We are proud to have her in our midst. We are fully behind her as she embarks on this fight against Zulina Munoz,” said Dinha. 

“I am encouraging all Zimbabweans to rally behind Chiwandire as she endeavours to conquer on October 1. 

“I saw her when she came down here in South Africa as she prepared for the fight. She is someone who is very keen to succeed. She has the passion and that self-drive to win. 

“She loves the badge and we are hopeful she will win against Munoz. 

“She is a disciplined girl who is capable of getting the world under her feet in the near future. For this bout, we are saying let’s go in numbers and support her.” 

Innocent Chikoya said Chiwandire needs everyone’s support and her fight against Munoz has the potential to change her entire story. 

“Kuda is not just a boxer. She is a fighter. She fights for everything. She is strong physically and mentally and I have no doubt she will emerge victorious on October 1. 

“Her focus especially charmed me when I first met her in South Africa. We all need to support her as she is representing all of us as Zimbabweans,” he said. 

“Kuda should go out there, stay focused and do what she knows best and she will win. Fighting before a home crowd should also spur her to do well on the day.” 

Other former players who have been put together by Zororo Phumulani to drum up support for Chiwandire in South Africa include Robson Chisango and Moses Zhuwawo. 

Zororo Phumulani Marketing Manager, Tendai Mangoti, said the idea of drumming support for Chiwandire from South Africa was driven by the need for Zimbabweans to have a connection with sporting activities happening back home. 

“The idea is to have some supporters coming all the way from here to cheer Kuda Chiwandire on the date of the fight,” said Mangoti. 

“When she came to South Africa, we made sure she met some legends based here and we have also decided to put the legends together as we drum up support for our girl.”