Banyana left to fend for themselves

HARARE – South Africa’s women football team was left to book their own hotel in Harare after Zifa chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze apparently left the country for the last stages of the World Cup in Brazil without making arrangements.

Mashingaidze had previously clashed with the women football boss Miriam Sibanda for accepting the friendly on short notice at a time the women’s season was starting.

The chairperson of Zimbabwe Women’s Football Association was against the friendly taking place before a proposed restructuring of the national side and its coaching staff.

Sibanda also queried how cash-strapped Zifa were going to get the money to host Banyana Banyana.

A host FA takes care of the costs of hosting a visiting team.

In Mashingaidze’s absence, acting Zifa CEO Joseph Mamutse was unable to pay for the South Africans hotel, leaving the visitors to pay for themselves at Holiday Inn in the capital.

Zifa spokesman Xolisani Gwesela said: “There is nothing amiss about that, it was part of the agreement.”

Meanwhile, the two teams played out a goalless draw at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.

Both teams had their chances but it was Zimbabwe who were always looking threatening on the counter attack and their strikers were a handful for the somehow lethargic Banyana Banyana defence.

Banyana Banyana are preparing for the Africa Women Championships in Namibia next month while the Mighty Warriors failed to qualify in a period in which our national football teams have been awful.

Yesterday’s match was the second instalment of the two team’s friendly internationals, earlier this year, the Mighty Warriors travelled to Johannesburg and the two teams played out a 2-2 draw. Daily News