From SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –
In Maputo, Friday
NEWLY elected Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi has offered 1.5 million Metcash (about US$48,000) to the Mamba’s to beat the Chipolopolo and qualify for the Equatorial Guinea 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.
Nyusi, who was recently elected Mozambique president, took time off his busy schedule to watch the team train on Thursday afternoon before addressing the players on the need to qualify to the 2015 AFCON finals.
It was during his address that he promised the team more incentives if they continue to perform well.
“You need to make sure you work hard to qualify to the Africa Cup because it will be historic. But do not force yourself to do the impossible if things are very difficult, because you are Mozambican and we will always love you,” Nyusi said.
Mozambique Football Federation (MFF) president Feizal Sidat said the President’s offer was for all involved in this qualification.
Meanwhile, MTN Zambia chief marketing officer Clement Asante said the mobile service provider expects the Chipolopolo to perform as they are under pressure to deliver.
“We have been sponsoring the national team since 2010 and we know what they are capable of doing. They know they have to win the last two remaining matches. It is this pressure that will make them deliver,” Asante said in a statement of solidarity to the Chipolopolo.
Asante also commended the national team technical bench for drafting local players from the MT-FAZ Premier League.
He said it has always been MTN Zambia’s ambition to see local players develop to professional and international levels.
Asante challenged the local players to seize the opportunity and show that they can perform at the highest level of professional football.
Asante further pledged MTN Zambia’s commitment to uplifting soccer in Zambia.