Zifa are in negotiations with a sponsor to bankroll the Warriors’ remaining Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Malawi at home and away against Guinea following the withdrawal of Wicknell Chivayo.
By Michael Kariati
This was revealed by Zifa president Phillip Chiyangwa, who said negotiations were at an advanced stage, adding that what was left was to put pen to paper.
“We are grateful to Wicknell Chivayo for the support he gave us. What he did for us was beyond expectation and we still remain grateful. We are in negotiation with another sponsor for the Warriors and what I can safely tell you is that the deal is almost complete,” said Chiyangwa.
He said when one door was closed, the other would be openned, adding that this was a massive sponsorship which would be made public way before Zimbabwe’s next World Cup qualifier against the Flames of Malawi.
“Don’t worry about the game against Malawi. That is all covered. The sponsor we are talking to has agreed to take care of that. However, we are still open to those who also want to come on board,” he said.
Chiyangwa said a number of other sponsors had also expressed their interest in the Warriors following the excitement generated by the team’s 4-0 destruction of Swaziland which saw them go top of Group L — three points ahead of their closest rivals Guinea and Swaziland.
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The Warriors are on eight points while both the Syli Nationale and the Sihlangu are on five points. Malawi on two points seem to be out of the contest.
Chivayo withdrew his support for the Warriors, including the $250 000 pledge he made for the Warriors should they qualify. He was irked by reports that suggested that he had gone for two months without paying national team coach Kalisto Pasuwa his salary.
Chiyangwa, however, said the Chivayo saga was water under the bridge, and that the football family should remain united ahead of the remaining two matches which would decide whether the Warriors would make the continental rendezvous.
“We are leaving no stone unturned to make that a reality. We are closer there and we should not be distracted by what is happening or has happened,” said Chiyangwa
The Warriors only need three points against Malawi on June 2 to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations finals to be staged in Gabon.
If that is done, the remaining game against Guinea would be a formality and Pasuwa could use that to experiment with other players.
As part of the Warriors’ preparations for the crucial tie against Malawi, Zifa have organised a friendly match against the Cranes of Uganda who will be on their way to Botswana for their 2017 Nations Cup qualifier as well.
Pasuwa is bidding to become the third football coach in history after Sunday Chidzambwa in 2004 and Charles Mhauri in 2006 to qualify Zimbabwe for the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Chiyangwa is also trying to become the second Zifa boss since 1980 to achieve this since Rafik Khan who was the Zifa chairman when the Warriors qualified in both 2004 and 2006.
