Mighty Warriors set to train in Germany

The Mighty Warriors have been on a revival mission since a new leadership chaired by Mavis Gumbo came into power in March last year.
Gumbo’s executive set up a rebranding and marketing committee led by youthful Harare businessman Chamu Chiwanza, which has wasted no time in mobilising resources for the Mighty Warriors.

After successfully staging an international friendly against South Africa on December 22, Chiwanza yesterday revea-led that they would now be sending the Mighty Warriors to Germany for a two-week training camp.

The rare training stint is being facilitated by Zifa’s German technical advisor Klaus Dieter Pagels, who asked the association to only worry about looking for the airfares of the Mighty Warriors delegation.

Chiwanza said his committee had alrea-dy raised US$80 000 for the German tour, which he believes will help turn the cor-ner for the Mighty Warriors.
The football rebranding and fund-raising committee also unveiled Zimbabwe’s ambitious bid to host the 2015 Women’s Under-20 World Championships in which they would have to face the challenge of Canada for the right to stage the tournament.

But it is the trip to Germany, which should help change the face of the Mighty Warriors’ game, as the senior women’s team could also get a chance to play against some top German clubs and the German national side.
In his correspondence to Gumbo early this month, Pagels indicated that the hosts would cater for the Zimbabwean delegation’s upkeep.
“I personally will facilitate the upkeep of the whole delegation which will travel to Germany on accommodation, meals, internal transport during the delegation’s stay in Germany.
“Please madam I am kindly requesting women’s football to mobilise resources for the airfares for the trip.
“I will be happy if you furnish me with your response before February 2011 for me to be able to relay the information to my counterparts in Germany for preparations,” wrote Pagels.

The delegation, which is expected to tour Germany from July 22 to August 6, will also visit the widow of Warriors coach Reinhard Fabisch, Chawada, who is based in Hamburg.
Chawada Fabisch was in the country in December for the launch of a football academy that will be named after her late husband and former Warriors coach.

Chiwanza also announced that his committee would unveil separate sponsors for the national league, which is expected to start running this season as well as the national teams.
“We are not only looking at fundraising, but also rebranding. Right now there is a lot we are cooking in our pot.
“The invitation by Germany is a milestone for Zimbabwe Women’s football.
“They will definitely play quite a num-ber of teams, which we cannot name at the moment.
“But since it is the senior team, they should also get a chance to play Germany national team.
“I am surprised people still say women’s football is bankrupt. We are unveiling a US$80 000 budget for Germany trip and we are far from being broke.
“We are also going to unveil a sponsor for the national team and another one for the league. We are on the right track,” said Chiwanza.

Chiwanza said his committee was closely working with Zifa in preparing the final brochure to be submitted to Fifa next month, have engaged the key stakeholders.
“We have engaged the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and we have been working with the chief executive (Karikoga Kaseke). We are also working with the responsible ministries and the corporate world.
“We are very optimistic the World Cup would be in this country,” said Chiwanza.

Zifa have over the years enjoyed good relations with the German football federation, which has resulted in the German regularly seconding coaches to this country.
A number of local coaches, including Zifa technical director Nelson Matongorere, Warriors caretaker coach Mandinda Ndlovu, former Dynamos mentor David Mandigora, Coaches’ instructor Gibson Homela, and Charles Mhlauri, who is on the verge of becoming the substantive Warriors mentor, have previously been to Germany to attain their coaching badges.

The Germans have also facilitated for a scholarship for one of the rising women footballers.
Glen View Queens midfielder Michelle Mutasa has been offered a short-term scholarship in Germany in June.
Mutasa, who is an A-level student at Glen View 1 High, was selected by the German Olympic Committee in partnership with Zifa in a deal that will also see her taking part in a competition which participants will be asked to tell of a story on “How Sport changed your life’’.
The 17-year-old is already attending German lessons as part of preparations for her attachment in the country.

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