The Sunday News
THE Mighty Warriors received a $28 000 boost from Prophetic Healing Deliverance (PHD) Ministry founder Prophet Walter Magaya ahead of their second leg All-Africa Games qualifier against Ghana at Rufaro this afternoon.
Prophet Magaya also blessed the Mighty Warriors on Friday evening and predicted good times for Zimbabwean football.
The popular prophet also pledged to help Zifa settle their raging debt with former coach Valinhos, a labour dispute that has cost Zimbabwe a place in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
The Mighty Warriors require nothing short of victory when they take on the Black Queens after falling 1-2 in the reverse fixture in Accra three weeks ago.
Emmaculate Msipa’s second half strike earned Rosemary Mugadza’s charges a vital away goal.
They need at least a 1-0 win to book a place at the All-Africa Games to be hosted by Congo Brazzaville later this year.
Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela confirmed Magaya’s gesture.
“We are really grateful for the prophet’s kind gesture. Zimbabwean football needs more people like him especially in these trying times. He pledged $28 100 for the Mighty Warriors’ entire expenses for the Ghana match and over and above that, predicted merrier times for the local game.
“The prophet also enquired about what was needed for the Warriors to be readmitted into the 2018 World Cup qualifiers and he promised to help us settle the $81 000 that we owe Valinhos,” said Gwesela.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Tabetha Kanengoni-Malinga, who travelled with the team last month and watched them go down fighting against the highly rated Black Queens, has challenged the Mighty Warriors to up their game.
“The Ghanaians were mentally stronger and our girls need that attitude to win this match.
“There should be no room for error, we do not need to concede a goal. But a good defence is not good without a good attack. We have to utilise this home advantage and progress to the finals,” she said.
Kanengoni-Malinga, who travelled with the team to Ghana, commended the women’s team for soldiering on under difficult conditions away from home.
“In Ghana there were a lot of football politics, the air-condition in the dressing room was switched off on a hot day, they really made sure the girls would burn out,” she recalled.
Ghana are ranked second after Nigeria in African football while Zimbabwe are on position 13 but the Mighty Warriors assistant coach Meebelo Njekwa believes those rankings will count for nothing.
“The morale is high and the team is ready for the match. Our opponents are ranked higher than us but that is something that is actually motivating the players. Beating Ghana will be a great morale booster for them ahead of the All Africa Games,” he said. – Harare Bureau.
