Arrest, detain Warriors: Zim parliament debates Afcon 2017 disaster

Charles Mabhena

The losing Zimbabwean soccer team continues to spawn emotions from fans across the country, and recently the parliament of Zimbabwe got involved earning themselves the tag “Kindergarten parliament” after a childish debate over the team performance in Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2017) tournament in Gabon.

Members of parliament apparently disappointed by the team’s performance grilled  the Minister of Sports and Recreation Makhosini Hlongwane on why the men’s soccer team received hefty allowances compared to the women’s team which played at the Olympics games in Brazil.

The women’s team got   almost nothing  as their appearance fees at the tournament.

Comical MP for Buhera West constituency Joseph Chinotimba also came into the fray suggesting that the team return the money they were paid so that it can be channeled towards feeding the hungry in the country.

Another MP proposed that the warriors be detained in military barracks until the state regains the money spent on the misfiring team which lost two games and drew one in the ongoing AFCON 2017 soccer showcase.

Many Zimbabweans have not forgiven the team’s atrocious performance and the print media, electronic and online has been awash with comments reproaching the team.

Kusupporter mawarriors kwakafana nekufanira garwe- unodyiwa. [Translated supporting the Zimbabwean team was like playing too close to a crocodile, where you end up being eaten].

“Warriors can be hazardous to your health if supported in excess- support with caution,” warned another posting with a box of eleven cigarettes labeled warriors.

But others are equally perturbed, “How can you blame 11 boys for failing to beat Tunisia while a country of 13 million is failing to remove a 99 year old grandpa from power who is a better idiot?” posted a fan on a What Apps platform.

The Zimbabwe soccer team created so much hype when they played their first opening match against Algeria.

But the team was soon to crumble when it was beaten two-nil by Senegal and  4-2 by the Tunisians.