Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Ellina Mhlanga
2 November 2009
Harare — ZIMBABWE yesterday hailed the Warriors as heroes following their impressive 3-1 victory over Zambia that won them the Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup before a packed Rufaro.
Eddie "Mboma" Nyatanga, the Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters Association leader, said this was a great moment for local football.
"It's not that we won the cup but the way that we won it, the style, the brilliance, the good goals and the way we played the game the way which it must be played, that mattered the most," said Nyatanga.
"It was a great day for Zimbabwean football because we showed the world that we have good players and our league, where these players are drawn from, is rich in talent.
"We have a good coach in Sunday Chidzambwa and we hope that, among these players, we have a foundation where we can build a good and competitive national team.
"The focus should not be Cosafa but the Nations Cup and World Cup and I'm happy that we have good Warriors, who are probably better than some of their foreign-based colleagues, who always get preferential treatment.
"The skipper Method Mwanjali was outstanding and led from the front and we are all happy that it has ended very well for our nation."
Nyatanga also saluted the fans.
"The supporters have been brilliant because they have given the team the 12th man and the crowd at Rufaro today and the one that was at Barbourfields the last time shows you that the people of this country are crazy about football," said Nyatanga.
"There is no nation that loves its national football team better than Zimbabweans and the success that we have achieved is for the players and their fans too who backed them all the way.
"The organisation was good and I want to thank the Government for its commitment and President Mugabe's presence at Rufaro showed the boys that this was not an ordinary occasion and we want to thank him very much.
"We also want to thank the Deputy Prime Minister, Professor Arthur Mutambara, for gracing the occasion and the police did a wonderful and first class job to ensure that we enjoyed the game in peace.
"It's a victory for Zimbabwe."
Premier Soccer League fixture secretary Godfrey Japajapa also praised the Warriors.
"The guys played very well from day one up to today and Zifa should keep the technical team intact because this is the foundation we have built today for the next Africa Cup of Nations," said Japajapa.
"And we should give them the support they want. The level of competition was good considering that we played against some of the best ranked teams and beating Zambia was good."
Zimbabwe Soccer Coaches Association chairman Bhekimpilo Nyoni said:
"From the first game we played well and looking at the tournament we are the only team that managed to create more chances than any other team," said Nyoni.
"The team was a good side and the performance they put up today was just the icing on the cake.
"When the squad was called, there so many questions raised but the coaches knew what they wanted and they have proved that the players they selected were the best.
"The teams we played gave us good competition, we drew in our second match before we beat Botswana 1-0 in the quarter finals and South Africa were also a good side.
"I want to give credit to the coaches considering that, at least, this a Zimbabwean squad paraded for the forst time after two years and we should give them more time to build the team," said Nyoni.
Gunners team manager Wellington Mpandare was a happy man.
"This is good considering that we have failed to qualify for the African Cup of Nations and the World Cup," said Mpandare.
"There was a lot of competition in the tournament and the players were selected from good top-flight league teams.
"Basically it was a competitive tournament and the support was tremendous," said Mpandare.
Eagles secretary-general Blessing Chiroodza said the Warriors improved with each game.
"I was impressed with the selection of young players that can play good football and I can say, on the field of play, we are improving and they should keep the team together.
"However the administration need to sit down and find a way forward," said Chiroodza.
Sports Commission director Patience Kabanda said the Warriors were brilliant.
"The team's performance was impressive and good, they did wonders.
"At the beginning we were not sure that they would win but they gave us confidence and we are all happy about that.
"And there was a lot of unity from the supporters and, although there were some internal divisions at the start, things improved as the tournament progressed and we gathered confidence," said Kabanda.
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I was thrilled by the Zim national team. The players displayed a good flair of football. The supporters showed unity that no human being can disrupt. You know, football is a good sprt. It brings people together and for that time they forget their differences and enjoy the game of football. I was also impressed by the fact that the organizers brot school kids along. good inspiration. NOW; can the leaders of Zim find it in their hearts to work together harmoniously for the sake of those good people and the school kids to make their country better. I pray to Almighty God that peace prevails in Zim. By the way, Im a Motswana who has loads of relatives across the border in Zim. When I grew up we used to shop in Zim. I miss that very badly. God Bless>>>>>>