The Herald
By Grace Chingoma
10 September 2012
Zimbabwe registered one of their biggest victories at Rufaro in the African Cup of Nations soccer qualifiers in a long time when they beat Angola 3-1 yesterÂday and what a befitting occasion it was, as our “Golden Girl†Kirsty Coventry also cheered the boys from the terraces. Coventry was part of the invited guests in the VVIP tribune, which also included the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture David Coltart, and the Zimbabwean swimming icon was in the company of her boyfriend Tyrone Seward, who she engaged last month.
After the match, Coventry met the Warriors and members of their technical department as she congratulated them for a job well-done against the Angolans.
She also took time to pose for pictures with Warriors skipper Tapuwa Kapini and striker Khama Billiat.
Watching her first live soccer match, Coventry was excited with the sights and sounds of Rufaro as the fans cheered the team which scored three goals past 2006 World Cup finalists Angola.
“They (the Warriors) played so well . . . they played such a great game, very much sync with each other which I think is very important for soccer. And I was so proud to be able to watch them. They were fighting in the first half and were very nervous in the second half.
“They are great team and they will qualify (for the 2013 Nations Cup finals in South Africa). I have watched them on TV but I have never been able to come to a match so I am very excited and honÂoured that I was able to come and watch them. There were lots of people and it was so exciting,†Coventry said.
The talented swimmer said she doesÂn’t know much about football and does not even support any team locally or internationally. “I never really watched football when growing up and never supported a soccer team but I think after today the Warriors have made me their biggest fan. I have watched a little bit of soccer and my brother-in-law loves Manchester United so I will think about it . . . l am loyal to my family and maybe will have to support that (Manchester United).
“I follow the clubs in the local Premier League in the newspapers so it has really been nice to be able to be here (at Rufaro) and get to meet some of the players that I always hear or read about in the newspaÂpers,†Coventry said. Coventry, who is enjoying a rest after participating at the recent London 2012 Olympics, says she will wave goodbye to the sport which made her famous by visiting local schools. I am just taking a rest and in the next two weeks I’m hoping to drive around Zimbabwe and visit some of the schools. I am taking the time and opporÂtunity that I have now. Driving, saying hello and thanking them for the support. I have not had the time since I came back from the Olympics,†she said.
And as wedding bells toll, Coventry says she is currently enjoying her time with her boyfriend Seward before they walk down the aisle.
“We are not too sure when is the wedÂding. We haven’t decided yet. We are takÂing the next few months figuring out when we want to get married.