Zifa have registered themselves as an Econet eco-cash agent and are asking for donations of one dollar to be made through their registered number, according to a posting on their website.
This is not the first time the cash-strapped football body has sought donations from the public. During the Warriors’ 2014 World Cup qualifier against Egypt, Zifa employees were seen moving around the stadium with cardboard boxes seeking donations for the team, but nothing was said on what happened to the money.
The football federation’s Chief Executive Officer, Jonathan Mashingaidze, confirmed they had gone on a fund-raising drive for all national teams, including the Mighty Warriors.
Although there were no major international engagements for the Warriors until the start of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Mashingaidze said there were other matches lined-up for them as they build up for future tournaments.
“The Warriors need to have as many friendly matches as possible as we build up for the next major competition. This money will be channelled towards such arrangements,” said Mashingaidze.
But with the nation disappointed by their early exit from the run-up to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations following that unexpected 3-2 defeat at the hands of Tanzania, it remains to be seen whether the public will be supportive at all.
Over 50,000 fans who were at the National Sports Stadium to root for the Warriors in that particular match were disappointed. In the meantime, the Warriors will be confined to the less-important Cosafa Castle Cup, whose 2014 tournament is in Botswana in September.
Post published in: Football