GOVERNMENT on Sunday saluted the Mighty Warriors for their gallant performances at the Cosafa Women’s Championship held in Gauteng.
Despite spending the better part of the last two years on the sidelines of international football due to a Fifa suspension, Zimbabwe exceeded expectations to reach the semi-finals on their return to the regional tournament.
The Shadreck Mlauzi team, which finished fourth at the contest after losing 2-0 in their third place play-off final to Mozambique on Sunday, had the second best defence in the tournament after runners-up Zambia.
They had the best goalkeeper in Cynthia Shonga who won the tournament’s Golden Glove award after conceding just twice in four matches.
And the Zimbabwe Ambassador to South Africa, David Hamadziripi feted the girls at a Sandton hotel on Sunday evening as the Zimbabwean community came together to celebrate the Mighty Warriors.
Addressing the team, Ambassador Hamadziripi said the girls deserved a pat on the back after their heroic showing at a tournament they were taking part for the first time in close to two years.
“Firstly I would like to thank all those who have chipped in with sponsorship towards the hosting of this event. It is this spirit that will enable us to move forward. I would like to thank all of you.
“To you the Mighty Warriors, you have done us proud. I am predicting that you will win the next tournament given the way you performed in this particular event,” said Hamadziripi.
“Given where we are coming from, we didn’t think that you will go all the way to the last four. But the indomitable spirit within you pushed you to punch effectively hard at this tournament. We are really proud.
“I would also want to thank COSAFA for the wonderful work that they are doing.
“As we witnessed, the regional board has had the first use of VAR in this tournament and we are looking forward to our national associations adopting the use of this technology”.
The dinner was put together by different Zimbabwe-owned South Africa based companies led by Zororo-Phumulani.
The funeral services company also donated an assortment of goods worth thousands of United States dollars to the girls.
In his remarks Zororo-Phumulani representative Brian Makunike said his organisation was ready to forge a long time partnership with the Mighty Warriors.
“Look, as Zororo-Phumulani, we have always supported sport and we will continue doing that,” said Makunike.
“We are really proud of what the Mighty Warriors have done in this tournament. We have been following them in this competition and we are here to reaffirm our support with this donation.
“We are considering partnering the team in the future”.
Cosafa President Artur de Almeida e Silva who also attended the dinner also hailed the Mighty Warriors.
“You showed how spirited you are in your endeavours for success. You showed whaty hard work can do for you,” he said.
“Clinching fourth place in a tournament you are participating in for the first time is not a joke. I would like to congratulate you for your achievement in this particular event”.
Meanwhile the team arrived back home yesterday morning.
Chronicle
