All Set For Samba Boys And Zimbabwe Game

The warm up match for the Samba boys before they play in the FIFA World Cup which kicks off on June 11, is on at the National Sports Stadium on Wednesday  (today) at 3:30pm

Henrietta Rushwaya, the Zifa chief executive officer, said 75 percent of the ticket matches had been sold. The tickets were selling at US$10 for the rest of the ground, while those for the Bays 15 and 18 went for US$40 and VIP tickets were sold at US$60.

President Robert Mugabe is among the high profile political figures expected to grace the match.

The Samba Boys jetted in Harare on Tuesday night on a chartered flight amid tight security and would be staying at the five star Rainbow Towers Hotel.

The team booked a full floor and guests who had booked for a conference of the World Health organisation (WHO) were sent to Crowne Plaza Monomotapaa Hotel across across the town much to their dismay.

“We were not told about these soccer boys and we do not care about soccer because we come from many nations. This is very bad,” a WHO senior official told Radio VOP.

There is tight security in the hotel and a lift (elevator) has been set aside especially for the Samba Boys.

When they arrived at the International Airport on Tuesday they were immediately whisked away to their hotel much to the dismay of the crowd that had waited for hours for their arrival.

The Public service Commission (PSC) has set aside Wednesday as a half day for all civil servants to attend the game between Zimbabwe’s Warriors and the Samba Boys.

The match will also be shown live by the state-owned Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation Television station.

Meanwhile the Warriors caretaker coach, Norman Mapeza, has announced the team to play in today’s match.

Squad

Edmore Sibanda, Gilbert Mapemba, Zhaimu Jambo, Method Mwanjali, Zvenyika Makonese, Tinashe Nengomasha, Ashley Rambanapasi, Quincy Antipas, Benjani Mwaruwari, Knowledge Musona, Ovidy Karuru, Tafadzwa Dube, Thomas Sweswe, Stephen Alimenda, Qadr Amin, Vusa Nyoni, Kingston Nkatha, Nyasha Mushekwi.

Warriors’ Starting XI

Goalkeeper: Edmore Sibanda.

Defenders: Gilbert Mapemba, Method Mwanjali, Zvenyika Makonese, Zhaimu Jambo.

Midfielders: Quincy Antipas, Tinashe Nengomasha, Ashley Rambanapasi, Ovidy Karuru

Strikers: Benjani Mwaruwari (captain), Knowledge Musona.