News / Regional
Mpofu pledges to assist Bosso, Hwange, Chikwata football legends to acquire land
03 Jan 2013 at 04:54hrs | Views
MINES and Mining Development minister and Zanu-PF Umguza MP Obert Mpofu has pledged to assist football legends from Highlanders, Hwange and Zimbabwe Saints to acquire land in Matabeleland North province "so that they have somewhere to retire to".
Mpofu made the pledge during New Year's Day celebrations that coincided with the launch of a $5 000 soccer tournament at his rural home in Nyamandlovu.
The tournament featured such football luminaries like former national team centre striker Agent "Ajira" Sawu, who was a Zimbabwe Saints player, and retired defender Dazzy Kapenya, formerly of Highlanders.
Other football legends who attended the event include former Highlanders players, Madinda Ndlovu, Douglas "British" Mloyi, Thabani Masawi and Netsai Moyo, among others, and those from Zimbabwe Saints included Ebson "Sugar" Muguyo and Gibson Homela.
Mpofu said city life was hard after retiring.
"I said today we are celebrating the New Year and I invited all legends from Highlanders, Zimbabwe Saints and Hwange. If I was in Harare, I would have invited Dynamos," he said.
"Highlanders and Mashonaland United (now known as Zimbabwe Saints) built Matabeleland with competitive soccer. We are one people. That's what is important. We are happy to see some of the legends we used to hear about, some are still strong yet some are retired.
"I promise you that those who have homes in Bulawayo and have no homesteads, we will give you land so that you retire to the rural areas. City life is expensive. Those who claim I am campaigning, I am not campaigning because I have already won. Come to Umguza and Matabeleland North if the city gives you stress."
Mpofu reiterated his pledge to bankroll Highlanders Football Club and the senior national men's soccer team, the Warriors.
Last month, Mpofu pledged to bail out the Warriors and Highlanders FC during his speech at the burial of former Warriors striker Adam Ndlovu, who died in a road accident which left his sibling Peter Ndlovu seriously injured. The Umguza MP later pledged to foot Peter's medical bills.
"My promise that I made at Adam's burial, we are sticking to it. If you are a good father, your children will come running to you when you get home. We will support you without fear or favour."
In his vote of thanks after the tournament, Highlanders legend Madinda Ndlovu said: "We thank you as legends that you have brought us together, especially with Zimbabwe Saints. We had grown apart, but we are happy that we are together. What is important is to praise someone when they have done a good thing. There are a few people who do good things like minister Mpofu and (Mrs Sikhanyisiwe) Mpofu, so let us thank and rally behind them."
Mpofu made the pledge during New Year's Day celebrations that coincided with the launch of a $5 000 soccer tournament at his rural home in Nyamandlovu.
The tournament featured such football luminaries like former national team centre striker Agent "Ajira" Sawu, who was a Zimbabwe Saints player, and retired defender Dazzy Kapenya, formerly of Highlanders.
Other football legends who attended the event include former Highlanders players, Madinda Ndlovu, Douglas "British" Mloyi, Thabani Masawi and Netsai Moyo, among others, and those from Zimbabwe Saints included Ebson "Sugar" Muguyo and Gibson Homela.
Mpofu said city life was hard after retiring.
"I said today we are celebrating the New Year and I invited all legends from Highlanders, Zimbabwe Saints and Hwange. If I was in Harare, I would have invited Dynamos," he said.
"Highlanders and Mashonaland United (now known as Zimbabwe Saints) built Matabeleland with competitive soccer. We are one people. That's what is important. We are happy to see some of the legends we used to hear about, some are still strong yet some are retired.
"I promise you that those who have homes in Bulawayo and have no homesteads, we will give you land so that you retire to the rural areas. City life is expensive. Those who claim I am campaigning, I am not campaigning because I have already won. Come to Umguza and Matabeleland North if the city gives you stress."
Mpofu reiterated his pledge to bankroll Highlanders Football Club and the senior national men's soccer team, the Warriors.
Last month, Mpofu pledged to bail out the Warriors and Highlanders FC during his speech at the burial of former Warriors striker Adam Ndlovu, who died in a road accident which left his sibling Peter Ndlovu seriously injured. The Umguza MP later pledged to foot Peter's medical bills.
"My promise that I made at Adam's burial, we are sticking to it. If you are a good father, your children will come running to you when you get home. We will support you without fear or favour."
In his vote of thanks after the tournament, Highlanders legend Madinda Ndlovu said: "We thank you as legends that you have brought us together, especially with Zimbabwe Saints. We had grown apart, but we are happy that we are together. What is important is to praise someone when they have done a good thing. There are a few people who do good things like minister Mpofu and (Mrs Sikhanyisiwe) Mpofu, so let us thank and rally behind them."
Source - NewsDay
