Zifa pins hope on govt over Comoros trip

Sport
Zifa has now pinned all hopes on the government for the funding of the Warriors trip to Comoros for Saturday’s Chan qualifier preliminary round, return leg.

Zifa has now pinned all hopes on the government for the funding of the Warriors trip to Comoros for Saturday’s Chan qualifier preliminary round, return leg.

BY MICHAEL MADYIRA

The tour hangs in the balance and the cash-strapped association is now racing against time to fulfill the match. Zifa last week presented the government with two quotations of flights to the Indian Ocean island but are yet to get a response.

A chartered Air Zimbabwe flight spending three days in the Comoros will cost $114 900, while arriving a day before the match and leaving soon after the game requires $83 000.

With other airlines fully booked or costing more, Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela said they are now left with only the option of a chartered flight with all hopes narrowed on the government.

“We have checked with some airlines but they are saying they nolonger have seats while the limited available ones are expensive,” said Gwesela.

“The only option we have now is chartering Air Zimbabwe. We have no money as yet and we are now in a desperate situation. Right now we are waiting for the government to get back to us after we gave them the budget for the trip last Wednesday and we hope they will help early because time is running out.

“As Zifa, we will always insist that the funding of national teams is not our responsibility alone but a collective effort from various stakeholders.”

The Warriors have recently been turning to Prophetic Healing Deliverance (PHD) leader Walter Magaya for financial assistance.

Hopes of a bailout from Magaya are however now slim after he expressed displeasure at Zifa abusing his donations two weeks ago.

“We have a relationship with the man of God but it is up to him to help us. We will accept anything that comes our way. Anyone who wants to help us can directly pay Air Zimbabwe,” said Gwesela.

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Andrew Langa was last week not available to give the government’s stance on the trip.

Meanwhile, coach Kalisto Pasuwa is expected to name his squad for the Comoros match today before the team starts camp tomorrow.

Pasuwa is grappling to find a left-back as Ronald Pfumbidzai will on Wednesday leave the country to begin life at new Danish club Hobro IK.

Chicken Inn left-back Devine Lunga is out injured and Pritchard Mphelele could be converted into a fullback. FC Platinum midfielder Wisdom Mutasa is out of the match while attending trials in Slovakia. Pasuwa and his men arrive in Comoros capital city Moroni enjoying a 2-0 advantage from the first leg.