Zimbabwe national football team was bailed out by Prophet Walter Magaya to enable them to travel to Malawi for a crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday.
Zimbabwe refused to travel to Malawi on Thursday as they were demanding their outstanding allowances from Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA).
But Prophet Magaya, who is a well-known, football supporter decided to meet the demands of the players after cash-strapped Zimbabwe Football Association failed to pay them.
“Prophet Walter Magaya has helped Zifa to pay outstanding allowances to the national team players an appearance fee of US$500 (about K200,000) for each player to enable them to travel to Malawi,” said an official.
“The players refused to travel to Malawi on Thursday and they have started off by road expecting to arrive on Friday in Blantyre ready for the game.”
Meanwhile Football Association of Malawi (FAM) General Secretary Suzgo Nyirenda said the team would not be affected by Zimbabwe’s woes. “Preparations have been going on well. What is happening to Zimbabwe has nothing to do with us. We will approach the game with the seriousness it deserves,” Nyirenda said.
“Whether these are mind games or not, we will not underrate them in any way because what we want is to start off the campaign on positive note.”
