HARARE - FIVE time World Cup champions Brazil have confirmed their high profile internationl friendly match against Zimbabwe's Warriors at the giant National Sports Stadium in Harare on Wednesday June 2.
The Samba boys will jet into Harare on Tuesday from their world cup base in South Africa for the practice match. They are also scheduled to play Tanzania on June 6 before flying out to SA for the global soccer showcase. Adressing journalists during a news conference in Harare yesterday, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Walter Mzembi said he was happy that they had finally realised their dream of hosting a brand like Brazil.
Mzembi said he was happy after a year trying to lure the SambaBoys to camp in Zimbabwe on their way to South Africa for the World Cup which kicks off on June 11. “It was a tall order,” said Mzembi. I am delighted that we have finally realised our dream to play the best team in the world. I was put in the ministerial task force charged with first objective of ensuring that we bring at least one country taking part at the world cup to Zimbabwe. This is a fulfilment of our first objective. We will do our best as a country to give them (Brazil) the hospitality they have never experienced before. We are a beautiful country. I would also like to thank corporate partners Net One and Zim Plats to partner us to realise this dream of hosting Brazil,”he said.
ZIFA chief executive Henrietta Rushwaya and Brazil agent Paul Lasegang signed the official contract which will bring the Samba boys to Zimbabwe during the conference. Brazil ambassador to Zimbabwe Paul Detole also attended the press conference so did Warriors caretaker coach Norman Mapeza, his assistant Joey Antipas and team manager Shariff Mussa.
Mzembi also said that the government had chipped in with 40 percent of the total costs to host Brazil while Net One and Zim Plats contributed the remaining percentage.
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News