We have always been welcoming to ALL Africans… that’s just who we are!!! Zimbabwean Hospitality is assured to all our visitors, especially our brothers and sisters of African descent.
🚨🗣Steven Gerrard: "this fifa world cup in USA is becoming the worst tournament even before it get started! This is not how it is supposed to be, the weather in the US is terrible for players to play in, and we have news of the Somali referee Omar Artan who was appointed by FIFA denied entry, Iran saying FIFA has withdrawn fans World Cup ticket allocation, couple with funny security checks [Kevin Debruyne Belgium and Senegal players]
"I have to say it again this World Cup is starting to look like a mess, and the tournament hasn't even properly begun yet."
"Usually, before a World Cup, we're talking about the favourites, the star players, and the football. Instead, we're talking about travel problems, ticket controversies, and immigration issues."
"The Omar Artan situation is one of the most disappointing stories I've seen. FIFA selected him because they believed he was good enough to officiate at the World Cup, yet he was denied entry into the United States and will miss the tournament."
"Imagine working your whole life to become the first Somali referee at a World Cup and then being prevented from taking part for reasons completely unrelated to football."
"Then you have Iran's federation saying their allocation of World Cup tickets for supporters was withdrawn just days before the competition. Whether you agree with a government or not, supporters should not be the ones paying the price."
"I've also seen players and delegations complaining about the level of security checks and the delays involved. At some point, people stop feeling welcomed and start feeling like they're being treated as suspects."
"The weather is another concern. We're talking about matches being played in extreme summer conditions. The players are expected to perform at the highest level while dealing with heat that can completely change the rhythm of a game."
"A World Cup should be about bringing the world together. Instead, every day seems to bring another story that has nothing to do with football."
"The worrying thing is that these aren't isolated incidents anymore. When ticket disputes, entry restrictions, and organisational concerns keep appearing, people naturally begin questioning the tournament itself."
"I still hope the football saves the competition because the World Cup is bigger than any host nation. But right now, the headlines aren't making FIFA look good, and they certainly aren't making this look like the celebration of football it was supposed to be."
Jürgen Klopp on Liverpool appointing Andoni Iraola as their next manager:
🗣️ “I've seen some people questioning this appointment and honestly, I think they're making a huge mistake.
Liverpool haven't hired a manager because of his name. They've hired him because of his work. And in football, that should always be the most important thing.
When I watch Iraola's teams, I see courage. I see intensity. I see players who run like their lives depend on it. I see a team that refuses to be intimidated by anyone.
That sounds very familiar to me.
People forget that before managers become elite, they first have to be given the opportunity. Not everyone arrives with ten trophies and a global reputation.
What matters is whether you can coach. And believe me, this guy can coach.
I faced his teams and they were a nightmare. They pressed, they fought, they attacked and they never stopped believing. You leave those games exhausted.
The thing Liverpool supporters will love is that he doesn't play with fear. He doesn't care about budgets, reputations or big names. He wants to compete. Every single week.
And if he brings that mentality to Anfield, with better players and bigger resources, then the rest of the Premier League should be very worried.
Because Liverpool haven't appointed a caretaker. They haven't appointed a celebrity.
They've appointed a coach who is obsessed with improving, obsessed with competing and obsessed with winning.
And those are usually the most dangerous ones.”