Zimbabwe senior national soccer coach Callisto Pasuwa has made a passionate plea to his employers at Zifa to arrange an early camp and to mobilise financial support for the team ahead of the African Nations Championship finals in Rwanda early next year.
The tournament is less than three months away and Pasuwa, who led the side to a 4-2 aggregate win over Lesotho in a two-legged final qualifier, said he was not happy with the way the national team has been conducting their business.
The Warriors preparations were disrupted last week when players downed tools demanding their dues. And now it appears the boycotts have become the norm every time national teams are preparing for international assignments.
The tournament is less than three months away and Pasuwa, who led the side to a 4-2 aggregate win over Lesotho in a two-legged final qualifier, said he was not happy with the way the national team has been conducting their business.
The Warriors preparations were disrupted last week when players downed tools demanding their dues. And now it appears the boycotts have become the norm every time national teams are preparing for international assignments.
Businessman Philip Chiyangwa saved the day when he chipped in with a cash donation of $10,000 while the Ministry of Sport and Recreation ensured the trip materialised when they chipped in with air tickets.
Chiyangwa also promised the Warriors a further $10,000, should they complete their mission, which is set to be handed to the team today.
But last night the Warriors cut short their celebrations and sent their captain Danny Phiri to engage Zifa chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze and the technical team over their outstanding bonuses.
Some of the dues stretch back to June when the side opened their campaign in the preliminary round tie against Comoros.
Pasuwa reckons the Warriors can be a force to reckon with if they get the support they need.
Zimbabwe finished fourth at the last edition in South Africa and they are keen to improve on the record.
“Let me say this to the authorities, we need to be in camp in time. We need to prepare well in order to get good results. We’re going to meet stronger opponents, most of whom are far better than Lesotho,” said Pasuwa.
“So we need as much as we can in terms of preparations. We shouldn’t get used to these bad habits of training just three days when we could have more time. It’s not healthy and I tell you one day we’ll be hammered for five if we continue on such a path.
“This is not only about Chan. In fact we would want to see Zimbabwe playing at bigger tournaments like the Afcon and even the World Cup.
“We want to square off with some of the world’s big names as Germany to test our talents. I believe we’ve the talent but we lack the support to qualify for those bigger events,” said Pasuwa.
Pasuwa and his technical committee together with officials from Zifa and the Sports and Recreation Commission have been invited for a meeting to chart the way forward with Sport and Recreation Minister, Makhosini Hlongwane, this week.
Chiyangwa also promised the Warriors a further $10,000, should they complete their mission, which is set to be handed to the team today.
But last night the Warriors cut short their celebrations and sent their captain Danny Phiri to engage Zifa chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze and the technical team over their outstanding bonuses.
Some of the dues stretch back to June when the side opened their campaign in the preliminary round tie against Comoros.
Pasuwa reckons the Warriors can be a force to reckon with if they get the support they need.
Zimbabwe finished fourth at the last edition in South Africa and they are keen to improve on the record.
“Let me say this to the authorities, we need to be in camp in time. We need to prepare well in order to get good results. We’re going to meet stronger opponents, most of whom are far better than Lesotho,” said Pasuwa.
“So we need as much as we can in terms of preparations. We shouldn’t get used to these bad habits of training just three days when we could have more time. It’s not healthy and I tell you one day we’ll be hammered for five if we continue on such a path.
“This is not only about Chan. In fact we would want to see Zimbabwe playing at bigger tournaments like the Afcon and even the World Cup.
“We want to square off with some of the world’s big names as Germany to test our talents. I believe we’ve the talent but we lack the support to qualify for those bigger events,” said Pasuwa.
Pasuwa and his technical committee together with officials from Zifa and the Sports and Recreation Commission have been invited for a meeting to chart the way forward with Sport and Recreation Minister, Makhosini Hlongwane, this week.
By: Editor
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