Zimbabwe players finally give in
Zimbabwe Warriors were expected to arrive in the country either late yesterday or early today after being persuaded to travel by road ahead of this afternoon’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Flames.
Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) spokesperson Xoli Gwesela and Football Association of Malawi (FAM) general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda yesterday confirmed that the Warriors started off by road from Harare at 1pm.
“They have travelled by a hired Munorurama bus and we expect them late today [yesterday] or in the early hours of tomorrow [today].
“We are currently in touch with our counterparts in Zimbabwe to provide us with the squad list so that we can negotiate with Immigration authorities to let them enter because by the time they reach Mwanza, the border would have closed,” said Nyirenda.
A Zimbabwean prophet Walter Magaya provided a rescue package for the troubled Zifa on Thursday night when he paid the players and technical staff allowances and match fees they were demanding before they could travel.
According to media reports from Zimbabwe, Magaya intervened after the Warriors refused to leave their hotel and travel to Harare International Airport to catch their flight, as they demanded payment for their allowances and match fees.
But even after the man of God’s intervention, Zifa found itself in a fresh dilemma yesterday morning as the players were reluctant to travel by road fearing that the long trip could affect their physical condition ahead of the match.
However, after government intervention, the Warriors gave in and accepted to travel by road in the afternoon.
Magaya, who is the leader of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries, is reported to have contributed more than $50 000 (about K22.1 million).
Trouble had exploded on Wednesday night when Zifa officials addressed the players and, immediately, there was an impasse with the two parties falling out over how much the Warriors would receive in daily allowances, and match fees, for this Nations Cup tie.
FAM president Walter Nyamilandu appealed to the Flames players not to read much into their opponents’ woes and remain focused.
