By Sports Reporter
A group of football fans under the banner, Friends of the Warriors has joined, players, coaches and other football stakeholders countrywide in the call for the return of football in the country.
The outcry comes after all domestic football activities were put on hold by government through the Ministry of Sports, as a way of mitigating the spread of Covid-19.
In an interview with Bustop TV, Friends of the Warriors secretary-general, Zivanai Muwashu said that they hope government be decisive towards the resumption of domestic football.
“We hope our government plays its part in terms of supporting the return of football. In the whole of Southern Africa, Zimbabwe is the only country whose domestic football is not active,” he said.
Muwashu also said the situation has affected all soccer players who ply their trade in the local premier league.
“Covid-19 has affected many things but now its high time the government and football authorities consider the welfare of players as they are the most affected ones as they have families to look after and rentals to pay. It is a sorrow state,” Muwashu added.
Moreover, he also indicated that the standstill has hindered several football corporates and referees.
Muwashu lamented that in most cases football fans are sidelined in decision making in the country. This is regardless of the fact that the world football mother body (FIFA) recognize supporters as important stakeholders in the game of football.
“We are very important in football. FIFA refers to us as the owners of the game. However we are often overlooked when it comes to decision making processes concerning the game of football in the country,” he revealed.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Sports through the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) gave a greenlight to all low risk sporting activities such as tennis, cricket and golf among others.
The SRC emphasized that no competition shall take place in or outside Zimbabwe without written authorization from the Minister of Sports in consultation with the Minister of Health and Child Care.
Zimbabwe will play against Botswana and Zambia in the AFCON qualifiers at the end of this month.
Asked if the Warriors will qualify for the next AFCON tournament, Muwashu said he is optimistic.
“We have become perennial attendees of the AFCON tournament and this time I am confident we will qualify to the next edition. We have quality players in our camp, we leave everything to the coaches,” the secretary general told Bustop TV.
The Warriors will however be without the services of UK-based foreign players due to strict travel regulations that were enforced by the UK government
