Newsnet
Tuesday 25 August 2009
Following days of uncertainty over the fate of the country’s hosting of the COSAFA tournament, government has announced that the regional soccer showpiece will indeed take place in the country.
Following days of uncertainty over the fate of the country’s hosting of the COSAFA tournament, government has announced that the regional soccer showpiece will indeed take place in the country.
Government through the Ministry of Finance has allocated US$1m to ensure a successful hosting of the COSAFA challenge.
Sports and Recreation Commission Chief Executive Retired Colonel Charles Nhemachena applauded government’s support.
Uncertainty had shrouded the hosting of the event after the Education, Sport and Arts and Culture Minister Senator David Coltart had indicated that the country did not have adequate funds to host it.
The latest development however comes as sweet news to millions of Zimbabwe soccer fans who have been starved of international soccer following the failure of the Warriors to proceed to the next round of the World Cup and AFCON qualifiers last year.
The 14 member regional tournament is expected to be staged in the country in October and the draw is yet to be made.
Since its inception in 1997, the COSAFA Senior Men’s Challenge Cup has been dominated by four countries namely Zimbabwe, Zambia, Angola and South Africa who have won it three times apiece.