Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Mighty Warriors might have failed to win the just-ended COSAFA Cup but their all-women technical bench left a huge impression.
Zimbabwe finished in fourth position behind Namibia, hosts South Africa and Zambia.
Veteran striker Rutendo Makore was crowned the tournament’s Top Goal Scorer.
She won the award in 2017.
Of the 11 nations which took part in the year’s COSAFA Cup, Zimbabwe were the only team with an all-women leadership.
Head coach, Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda, was being assisted by Irene Mwanza, goalkeepers’ coach Onai Chingawo while Primrose Serima was responsible for the team’s strength and conditioning. Miriam Kasimu was the team manager.
Kudzanai Matavire was the team medic and Margret Maulana served as the team doctor.
Mwanza, a CAF B holder, is a teacher and coaches Mosi-oa-tunya High School.
Serima is MWOS Queens head coach while Chingawo is a goalkeepers’ coach at Ngezi Platinum Queens. “At some point we stop looking at the result, it is the lessons that matter most and help us build further and in this case, Zimbabwe, as an opponent, has been impressive,” said Zambia’s coach, Charles Haalubono.
“Their game has been on a whole new level in this tournament and we never under-estimamted them, especially after watching them outclass Eswatini in their first game of the tournament.
“However, what I loved mostly is that they are the only team with an all-women technical bench.
“The women did their duties with so much confidence and even stamped a lot of authority on the field of play so much that you dared not to underestimate them tactically.”
The last time that the Mighty Warriors had a male coach in their set-up was at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in February last year in Luanda, Angola.
Sibanda was assisted by Kudakwashe Matuwi in the dugout.
“The other good thing that I have noticed is that now there are new players in the Zimbabwean team.
“Most of the old players that we used to know have gone and with fresh talent these female coaches have done so well.
“As a region, and as football nations in general, I am sure there is so much to learn from it.
“Our women should take up these courses and be brave enough to practice or lead teams even without the males.”
Mathew Masinge