THE WARRIORS will not take part in two friendly internationals against Libya and Tanzania after Zifa felt the matches would disrupt the league schedule.
MICHAEL MADYIRA OWN CORRESPONDENT
Libya had invited the Warriors for a friendly in Tripoli tomorrow while Tanzania had agreed to Zifa’s request for a match on Wednesday in Dar es Salaam.
The matches were expected to offer Warriors coach Ian Gorowa apt preparations for next January’s African Nations Championships (Chan).
Zifa had initially advised Libya who drew one-all with Niger in a friendly on Friday, to move the match to Wednesday, but the North Africans declined before Zifa turned to Tanzania.
The association’s chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze expressed need for the Warriors to stay in shape ahead of Chan although Zifa are cash-strapped.
“We cannot afford to miss such a chance for a friendly because the coach needs to prepare his team for Chan,” Mashingaidze said.
“Engaging Libya on Monday meant the players had to leave the country either on Saturday or Sunday when they would be needed by their clubs for the league matches,” he said.
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Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela concurred with Mashingaidze saying the Tanzania match was called off for the same reasons.
“Playing Tanzania means players would not be able to train with their clubs. Our local league is at a very crucial stage, so we cannot afford to interrupt it. We saw it fit to cancel the matches. We still have Mozambique and Gabon to play in the next two months,” Gwesela said.
Since beating South Africa 2-1 away in an international friendly in September, the Warriors have not been involved with any team.
They could not play the friendly proposed by Egypt late September and could not secure funds to the West Africa Football Union Nations Cup slated for later this month.
After the Egypt friendly hit a brickwall, the North Africans roped in Zimbabwe’s Group B opponents at Chan, Uganda, for two friendlies.
Meanwhile, Zifa will on Wednesday host a fundraising dinner for their 50th anniversary celebrations slated for next month.
The association’s communication manager Xolisani Gwesela said the dinner will afford them an interaction with various football stakeholders.
“Plans for the awards night are still on and we would be hosting a dinner on November 20. We will get a chance to interact with the Sport, Arts and Culture minister as well as other football stakeholders.” he said.
