Welsh Football Fans for Independence team to play Matabeleland in charity match

A team representing Welsh Football Fans for Independence will play a charity match against Matabeleland next month.

The game is to be played at RTB Ebbw Vale FC’s Hilltop ground on Sunday, September 19th.

Matabeleland is located in the western province of Zimbabwe. Its football team is not affiliated with FIFA or CAF, and therefore cannot compete for the FIFA World Cup or the Africa Cup of Nations

However, the team is affiliated to the Confederation of Independent Football Associations (ConIFA).

The Matabeleland Football Confederacy was formed in 2016 to use football to help rebuild their nation after years of colonialism and more recently genocide perpetrated by former Zimbabwe president, Robert Mugabe.

The team took part in the 2018 CONIFA World Cup in London. Bruce Grobelaar the former goalkeeper and Liverpool legend coached the side at the tournament and appeared on the pitch for them.

Busani Sibindi President of Matabeleland Football Confederacy said: “The match between Welsh Football Fans For Independence and Matabeleland is something we are looking forward to and a great opportunity for not only the team to showcase to the world but to also forge a platform of solidarity, cultural exchange and friendship between the people of Wales and Matabeleland.

“In simple terms it is more than just a football game but the beginning of bilateral relations between the two nationalities in more spheres than football as we both continue to strive to build a better future for our people.”

Welsh Football Fans for Independence have been organising pro-independence football fan marches from Womanby Street in Cardiff city centre to Wales home matches since 2018, growing in number, noise and spectacle each time.

The group have been central in the recent campaign for independence, being a visible presence not just at Wales international matches but also domestic football and taking part in broader independence activities with other groups supporting independence.

Collaborations

Andrew Benjamin, spokesperson for Welsh Football Fans for Independence said: “We are very excited to welcome our friends from Matabeleland to Wales. We have been building a relationship with the Matabeleland Football Confederacy since 2018 online and this football match is just the start of collaborations between our two nations.

“We will be helping shortly with acquiring football kits and other equipment to send over to help with the excellent work they do in setting up football academies for the most disadvantaged youngsters in Matabeleland.”

RTB Ebbw Vale Media Officer Nathan Lapping added: “We are really excited to be chosen to host Welsh Football Fans For Independence in their game against Matabeleland on Sunday 19th September. We are really looking forward to welcoming players, officials and supporters from both teams to Hilltop Stadium and look forward to an enjoyable afternoon of football.”

Player announcements, including former professionals and celebrities taking part in the game will be announced via the Welsh Football Fans for Independence social media pages in the build up to the game, as will details of charities the match will be raising money for.

Tickets are being sold at a discounted rate in advance here…

People will also be able to pay on the day.

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