The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has distanced itself from the logistical challenges faced by football fans who travelled to South Africa to support the Mighty Warriors in their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifier against Angola on Wednesday.
The supporters, who made the trip to Pretoria by bus from Simba Bhora Football Club, found themselves stranded in South Africa after the match.
In a statement released on Wednesday night, ZIFA expressed sympathy for the fans’ situation and commended their dedication to the Mighty Warriors.
However, the association made it clear that it had no involvement in the travel arrangements or logistics for the supporters.
ZIFA explained that the fans had made their own plans and coordinated directly with transport providers and that the association was not responsible for organising their travel. The statement reads:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) is deeply concerned about the well-being of Zimbabwean fans currently in Pretoria and acknowledges reports circulating on social media regarding their situation.
While we empathise with their plight and appreciate their unwavering support for the Mighty Warriors, we must also address the misinformation surrounding this matter.
ZIFA wishes to categorically state that it was never responsible for the travel arrangements or logistics for these supporters.
The fans in question made their own travel plans and liaised directly with the transport providers who facilitated their journey to Pretoria. At no point was ZIFA involved in coordinating or financing their trip.
While we regret the difficulties they are facing, we urge all affected individuals to engage directly with their transport providers for a resolution.
ZIFA remains committed to the growth and development of Zimbabwean football and values the passion of our supporters.
We will continue to focus on our mandate of promoting and managing football in Zimbabwe, ensuring that our national teams are well-prepared and supported.
</blockquote>

Pindula News

ZIFA, the football association in Zimbabwe, says they didn't help the fans who got stuck in South Africa after a game. They feel bad for them but they didn't plan or pay for their trip. The fans made their own plans with a bus company. ZIFA wants the fans to talk to the bus company to sort it out. They care about the fans and football in Zimbabwe, but they didn't have anything to do with this trip. They will keep working on making Zimbabwean football better.

ZIFA Distances Itself From Stranded Mighty Warriors Fans In South Africa

Simba Bhora Football Club and its President, Simba Ndoro, have arranged a bus to transport supporters to Pretoria for the Mighty Warriors’ important second leg Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifier against Angola on Wednesday, February 26.
Nqobile Magwizi, the ZIFA President, expressed appreciation for Simba Bhora’s support, saying it will contribute to boosting the morale of the national team and promoting a stronger football culture. Said Magwizi:
<blockquote>
This act of generosity by Simba Bhora Football Club is a testament to the unity and shared vision we have for Zimbabwean football. Their support will go a long way in boosting the morale of our team and fostering a stronger football culture. We are deeply grateful for their contribution.
</blockquote>
ZIFA urged all interested supporters to contact the following numbers for more information: +263771513080 and +263773045907.
In the first leg of their penultimate 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, the Mighty Warriors lost 2-1 to Angola in Luanda on Thursday.
Zimbabwe will host the Palancas Negras at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa.
The winner of the Angola versus Zimbabwe match will face Malawi in the final round of qualification.

Simba Bhora Football Club is helping fans go to a soccer match in Pretoria, South Africa. The match is between the Mighty Warriors and Angola for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. The President of ZIFA thanked Simba Bhora for their support. The Mighty Warriors lost the first game to Angola. The winner of this match will play Malawi next. Fans who want to go can call the phone numbers provided for more information. It's important for the team to have lots of supporters at the game.

Simba Bhora Provides Bus For Supporters To Mighty Warriors' AWCON Qualifier

The Mighty Warriors will host Botswana in next week’s Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifiers in an empty stadium after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) rejected Zimbabwe’s request to let in supporters.
The match will be played at National Sports Stadium as it is the only stadium in the country provisionally certified by CAF in Zimbabwe to host international matches.
Some national teams have been given permission by CAF to allow a limited number of fully vaccinated supporters during the senior men’s World Cup matches.
However, the National Sports Stadium is yet to meet the continental body’s requirements, which include, among other things, having buckets seats and electronic access controls.
Zimbabwe hosts Botswana next Friday and then travel to Francistown for the reverse leg on 23 February.
The winner of the two legs qualifies for the Africa Women Cup of Nations finals to be held in Morocco in July.
Mighty Warriors coach Sithetheliwe Sibanda lamented the inactivity of the local league due to COVID-19 which has negatively impacted the fitness of the squad. She said:
<blockquote>
We should be ready even if we are not going to be 100 per cent fit. We should be ready for the match.
The inactivity really is doing us no good. But if it’s the state of the affairs because of Covid-19 what can we do?
This is what is there but we hope one day something will happen in women’s football.
If it’s not the league, at least we could even have some tournaments to keep the players active so that when they come to the national team they are in a better shape.
</blockquote>
The local league has been suspended since 2020 when COVID-19 was first detected in Zimbabwe.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/mighty-warriors-to-play-in-empty-stadium/">The Herald</a></h4>

Mighty Warriors To Play Home AWCON Qualifier In Empty Stadium

The Mighty Warriors secured a 3-1 win over Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) in an African Women Cup of Nations qualifier played at the National Sports Stadium on Wednesday.
Merjury Nyaumwe, Privilege Mupeti and Emmaculate Msipa scored for the home side while Eswatini got their consolation from Lesego Mokgale with all the four goals coming in the first half.
Mighty Warriors coach Sithethelelwe Sibanda was impressed with the overall performance of her charges but pointed out areas that need improvement. She said:
<blockquote>
Of course, I am disappointed with how we conceded but I am confident we will carry ourselves through the line.
We played very well, our ball circulation was up there and we could have won with a bigger margin still.
But, I think we don’t have to worry much, we have the advantage and we will implement some good strategies going into the next match.
</blockquote>
Her Eswatini counterpart Dumisani Makhanya expressed confidence that his team can still overturn the deficit. He said:
<blockquote>
Congratulations to Zimbabwe for winning the first leg. They played so well but we remain positive ahead of the return leg.
Obviously, it’s not going to be any easier but look, we showed some good signs in this match and we can do better at home.
</blockquote>
Teams
Zimbabwe
Lindiwe Magwede, Edline Mutumbami, Egness Tumbare, Emmaculate Msipa, Nobukhosi Ncube, Merjury Nyaumwe, Privilege Mupeti (Alice Moyo 59min) Maud Mapfurutse (Dinah Rose Banda 86min), Shyline Dambamuromo (Purity Mugayi 71min), Sheila Makoto, Rudo Neshamba
eSwatini
Sukholuhle Sibandze, Tenaline Ngcamphalala, Thulisile Dvuba, Celiwe Nkambule, Noxolo Malinga (Phumzile Dhlamini 30min), Lesego Mokgale, Nokuthula Dhlamini, Welile Ndwandwe, Dhlamini Kwanele (Mazwi Dube 60min), Simangele Sikhondze, Sikhanyiso Magagula(Nomvula Sanga 57min)
<h4>More: <a href="https://ztn.co.zw/stream/2021/10/mighty-warriors-secure-advantage-over-eswatini/">ZTN</a></h4>

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