Harare Bureau

WARRIORS’ fans will this afternoon get free transport to the National Sports Stadium where the senior national soccer team will be battling it out with Burundi in a 2013 AFCON qualifier courtesy of Savanna Tobacco.

Savanna Tobacco head of marketing Ed Vhudzijena said Savanna had seen it prudent to support the fans who play a very important role in motivating players.

“Consistent with what we have done with Dynamos through our Zorai Butter nePacific and the recently introduced Emagumeni lePacific, we will, beginning today, be ferrying supporters free of charge to go and cheer on the national team.

We realised that this is a must-win match for us and we took it upon ourselves to help the national team through this gesture. Supporters have over the years been neglected by the corporate world but we are saying we appreciate the very important role that you (fans) play in cheering the team on,” said Vhudzijena.

He allayed fears that they might find themselves overwhelmed by the large turnout that normally turns up for Warriors matches saying they had already done their homework which will see fans being ferried to the stadium hassle free.

“We are working hand in glove with the Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters Association and we have made adequate plans for everyone who will turn up at our pick up points. You will appreciate that Dynamos command a huge following and if we can manage to transport them hassle free, surely there is nothing that will deter us from doing the same with the national team,” he said.

Bvudzijena also appealed to the fans to desist from violence but to concentrate on supporting the team even when the chips are down so that the 2-1 deficit to Burundi can be overturned.

He added that the same “Zorai Butter” pick up points used by Dynamos fans would be the ones that will be used to ferry the national side’s 12th player.

Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters Association’s Wellington Mpandare thanked Pacific for what he described as a very kind gesture and promised that Savanna’s trust in them will be defended jealously.

“We want to say a very big thank you to Savanna Tobacco through their Pacific brand for coming on board to assist us.

“We promise that as fans we will make sure that we will not drag their good name into ridicule by conducting ourselves responsibly so that this partnership flourishes.

“We also urge our members to come out in their numbers to support the team so that we can win this match because we just can’t afford to miss South Africa 2013. We also urge our members to support Pacific so that our marriage prospers,” he said.