A concerning situation has unfolded for a group of Zimbabwean football fans who traveled to South Africa to support their national women’s football team, the Mighty Warriors.
After attending the match in Pretoria on February 26, 2025, these fans are now stranded with no clear way of getting home to Zimbabwe.
The Match and Its Circumstances
The match between the Mighty Warriors and their opponents was held at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, as Zimbabwe’s ongoing stadium crisis meant no FIFA-approved venues were available in the country.
The match was meant to be a neutral ground for both teams.
However, the fans who made the trip to support their team now find themselves in a troubling situation, far from home.
Fans Expected Support, But Got Left in Limbo
According to reports circulating on Facebook, the fans who traveled to Pretoria were under the impression that organizers would take care of their transport, meals, and other provisions.
However, details about how the trip was arranged remain unclear, and there has been no independent verification of these claims.
Despite the uncertainty, one thing is clear: these fans are now stuck without any clear plan for getting home.
The Stranding Incident: Fans Left Behind
The situation worsened when reports suggested that the bus meant to return the fans to Zimbabwe was redirected to Johannesburg instead, leaving them stranded in Pretoria.
These claims are still awaiting official confirmation, but the growing concern over the welfare of these supporters is hard to ignore.
ZIFA’s Administrative Woes Come Under Scrutiny
This incident has reignited conversations around ZIFA’s (Zimbabwe Football Association) ongoing administrative issues.
Critics argue that this isn’t the first time such a problem has occurred, pointing to similar incidents in 2024.
Financial mismanagement has long been a problem for the association, with poor resource allocation impacting team preparation, travel, and support systems.
There have been previous reports of missing financial documents and fund mismanagement, causing major disruptions for the teams and supporters.
The fact that Zimbabwean teams have to play “home” matches abroad due to inadequate local facilities only highlights the wider infrastructural issues facing Zimbabwean football.
ZIFA Responds, But Fans Still Left in the Dark
ZIFA has since released a statement in which they deny responsibility for the logistical issues the fans are facing.
According to the association, the fans traveled to Pretoria on a bus from Simba Bhora Football Club.
After the match, they were left stranded when the bus was redirected, and ZIFA expressed sympathy for their situation, acknowledging the fans’ dedication to supporting the Mighty Warriors.
Growing Frustration Among Fans and Online Community
The situation has sparked frustration within the football community, especially on social media.
One user, 57fans, voiced their anger, saying, “This is Zim for you, this will never change.”
Another commenter, Olebogang Shebo, urged Zimbabweans in South Africa to step in and offer help to the stranded fans.
As of now, the authorities in Pretoria have not issued a statement addressing the situation.