The Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters Association (ZNSSA) are mobilizing resources to ferry their members to South Africa and Cameroon for Zimbabwe's make or break Africa Cup of Nations Group J qualifiers against Kenya and Cameroon in a fortnight's time.
ZNSSA chairman Mattias Kufandirimbwa says they are in talks with corporate entities and well-wishers to raise funds to enable a group of fans to travel to Polokwane to cheer on the team for the crucial match against Kenya.
The Michael Nees coached side have once again been forced to seek refuge in a foreign land owing to the lack of an approved stadium to host both matches in the country which again deny them an opportunity to enjoy a partisan crowd.
However, the local fans are keen to provide them with the support.
ZNSSA has already secured sponsorship for 12 supporters to make the trip to South Africa and Cameroon courtesy of Betterbrands owned by Pedzai "Scott" Sakupwanya.
Betterbrands is also the official kit sponsor for the Warriors.
Keep Reading
- Chevrons' sparring partners named
- The Empire continues to strike back
- HDF, EIB partner to implement Namibia’s first green hydrogen power plant
- Namibia takes down statue of German colonial officer
"We want to applaud Mr Sakupwanya for the kind gesture through his company Betterbrands," Kufandirimbwa said.
"Here is a patriotic football enthusiast who has Zimbabwe football at heart. He wants to see Zimbabwe football develop, and has been very supportive in that aspect by financing the national team, some local clubs as well as owning a football club which is set to bring excitement when it lands in the premier league. Mr Sakupwanya has availed a sponsorship package for 12 supporters so that we can go and cheer on our boys in these two very important matches. The sponsorship include airfares and accommodation. Our presence will obviously boost the team's morale and inspire the boys to perform to their best. This is one of his numerous efforts to support football development in the country."
Zimbabwe host Kenya in Polokwane on Friday next week at 6pm in their penultimate Afcon qualifier, needing to avoid a defeat to secure their ticket to the finals.
They will then travel to Yaounde to clash with the already qualified Cameroon four days later in the final qualifier.
Zifa yesterday announced that the Kenya match will be played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium at 6pm while Cameroon will host the Warriors at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo at 3pm.
The supporters are scheduled to travel to South Africa on the 15th and watch the Kenya match, before connecting to Cameroon the following morning.
Kufandirimbwa is still appealing to more companies and well wishers to come on board so that they can enlarge their travel contigent.
"We are appealing for more sponsorship so that we get more supporters to travel. If we can get 200 supporters especially for the Kenya game, would be great. That game is life and death for the nation so the boys need all the support that they can get. We have to go in our numbers to make sure that we help the team over the line. I'm appealing for those who can help with resources like busses so that we can carry as many supporters as we can," he said.
Zimbabwe are second in Group J with 8 points, and only need to avoid a defeat against Kenya to secure their ticket to the Afcon finals.
Should they falter against the Harambe Stars, the Warriors will have to do it the hard way by beating group leaders Cameroon in their backyard.
Cameroon, on 10 points, are already through while Kenya are on four points and need a perfect record in their final two group games against Zimbabwe and winless Namibia to clinch a ticket to the finals.
Namibia with zero points, are out of the race.