By Paul Nyathi|Former Zimbabwe national soccer team players the Warriors Legends, are set for yet another high-profile showdown next month when they host a team featuring European legends at the National Sports Stadium.
The match, which has been set for June 8, was announced yesterday at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and the World Class Legends represented by Rayco Garcia.
Garcia said the match will be aired on Real Madrid and Barcelona televisions and also on their social media platforms with a projected audience of one billion.
“We are here as the guests of the ZTA as well as His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa,” said Garcia.
“Today is an important day because we have decided that we are going to come to play a football game to promote the country internationally. We are planning to make a match against Zimbabwe legends on June 8, it will be a Friday. The last time we enjoyed a lot. Puyol, Pires, Roberto Carlos and of course Baptista will come. We will be announcing the players between now and the date of the match
“Some of you know me from the last game that we did with Barcelona Legends. I think it was a success, all the players were very happy. But all of us didn’t know anything about Zimbabwe. This country has, unfortunately, for many years, had no good name internationally. So I think with these kinds of initiatives we can change this. We can show to the world that this is a safe place to invest because this is not a country at war, like we see on international television.
“It’s very important to announce that we will use football as a powerful platform, through all our ambassadors around the world. Of course, Julio (Baptista) is from Brazil but the Spaniards will come, the Italians will come, the French will come, the Dutch will come. I think it’s now the time to open Zimbabwe for business and to create opportunities for everyone,” said Garcia.
Former Real Madrid and Arsenal forward Baptista said he was excited to be back in Zimbabwe.
He was part of the Brazil national team that played the Warriors in 2010 on their way to the Fifa World Cup held in South Africa.
“I am so happy to be here. This is my second time. When I visited the country the first time was when I was with the Brazil national team. The country has great opportunity for development with football.La Liga are doing a great job in many parts of the world. I think La Liga can do an incredible job here too,” said Baptista.
The tourists had an opportunity to meet President Mnangagwa yesterday where they pledged to market the country as a safe destination.