Story by Mthokozisi Dube, Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S Ambassador to South Africa, Dr David Hamadziripi has implored the Warriors to put to bed yesterday’s disappointing two-nil loss to Lesotho and focus on Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa in Bloemfontein.
The Warriors were treated to a luncheon by Dr Hamadziripi this Saturday.
“We played well yesterday despite the results. We live to fight another day on Tuesday in Bloemfontein. We will be there,” he said.
The luncheon was organised by the Embassy in partnership with Zimbabwe football legends based in South Africa.
ZIFA Normalisation Committee chairman Lincoln Mutasa said contrary to social media attacks that they were shunning the government, they are actually grateful for the support rendered to the team by government.
“A very big thank you for the warm welcome you have shown to us. His Excellency will escort us to Bloemfontein. We are unable to play at home but playing away from home has enabled us to meet our diaspora community. The majority of the players are coming from the diaspora community. We are grateful to what the legends led by Alexander and Peter Ndlovu are doing to us.
“We would want to appreciate the efforts that the government is doing for us. A lot of people would want to make others believe that we are part of FIFA, but we are not. We had a good reception in Rwanda facilitated by the government. We had a player who had no passport but the embassy came on board,” he said.
Zimbabwe shifted base to Bloemfontein this Sunday as they prepare for the tricky Bafana Bafana tie set for Tuesday.
