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Zimbabwe fans are rallying to support their team in a crucial AFCON qualifier against Kenya in Polokwane, with sponsorships and passionate efforts to create a "home" atmosphere abroad.
Zimbabwe supporters are gearing up to paint the Peter Mokaba Stadium in their team colors for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group J qualifier match against Kenya, scheduled for next Friday.
The Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters Association (ZNSSA) has launched a campaign to mobilize resources and organize travel arrangements, aiming to fill the stands with Zimbabwean supporters to cheer on their national team in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter.
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ZNSSA chairman Mattias Kufandirimbwa has revealed that efforts are underway to gather the financial support necessary to transport as many fans as possible to the stadium.
“We want to applaud Mr. Sakupwanya for the kind gesture through his company Betterbrands,” said Kufandirimbwa, expressing gratitude toward Pedzai "Scott" Sakupwanya, whose company has sponsored several supporters’ travel expenses for the South Africa and Cameroon matches as per News Day.
“Here is a patriotic football enthusiast who has Zimbabwe football at heart. He wants to see Zimbabwe football develop, and has been very supportive in that aspect by financing the national team, some local clubs as well as owning a football club which is set to bring excitement when it lands in the premier league.”
The Warriors, currently second in Group J with eight points, need only to avoid defeat against Kenya to qualify.
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However, with their home stadiums failing to meet CAF standards, Zimbabwe has once again had to shift its "home" game to foreign soil, putting added pressure on players deprived of home support.
The ZNSSA hopes to counteract this challenge by bringing fans to South Africa to boost the team’s morale and recreate a partisan environment.
To further ramp up the numbers, ZNSSA has called on additional corporate partners and well-wishers to provide resources, aiming to increase the fan contingent.
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Kufandirimbwa is optimistic about attracting support for bus transportation to Polokwane, enabling a larger crowd for this critical fixture.
“We are appealing for more sponsorship so that we get more supporters to travel. If we can get 200 supporters, especially for the Kenya game, it would be great,” Kufandirimbwa continued.
“That game is life and death for the nation, so the boys need all the support they can get. We have to go in our numbers to make sure we help the team over the line.”
The travel sponsorship from Betterbrands includes airfares and accommodation, ensuring fans can travel in time to South Africa on November 15.
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They will support the team during the Kenya match before departing for Yaoundé, Cameroon, the following morning to attend the final Group J fixture against already-qualified Cameroon.
In contrast, Kenyan supporters have no organized travel arrangements announced, which may leave the Harambe Stars without as significant a cheering section.
Should Zimbabwe secure a result in Polokwane, they would advance to the AFCON 2027 finals.
However, if Kenya prevails, Zimbabwe will face the daunting task of winning against Cameroon in Yaoundé four days later.
Group J standings currently show Cameroon at the top with ten points, followed by Zimbabwe with eight, while Kenya sits at four points, needing a perfect record in their final two games to qualify.
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