Andrew
Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
THEY might be a new club but Bulawayo Chiefs are setting new standards and could even break records in the Southern Region Women’s Soccer League.
While the men’s side, which competes in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, has drawn most of the attention, thanks to a refreshingly professional approach to the game, the women’s team have been making waves in their own league.
Amakhosikazi, as the women’s side are known, have won all the seven games they have played so far, plundering 42 goals and not conceding in the process.
They were four points clear of second-placed Loxion Vipers going into Match Day Eight.
So ruthless are Evans Neta’s side that they have banged 18 goals in their last two fixtures, walloping Western Rangers 11-0 in Week Six before hammering Lobengula City Queens 7-0 last weekend. They began their campaign on June 11, with former Mighty Warriors skipper Nobuhle Majika lining up for a 6-0 trouncing of ZRP during that opening weekend of the Southern Region League.
Free-scoring strikers Lauryn Mupasi and Patience Ndlovu — both on 11 goals — and Nomqhele Donga are the team’s key players.
Thobekile Mtambo, Nothabo Nkabinde, Last Mlalazi, Rufaro Maphosa and Nohlahla Fumapano have also chipped in with goals for Amakhosikazi, who are gunning for an audacious target.
They want to finish the season unbeaten and without conceding a goal.
“So far so good, we are happy with what the girls are showing. We are playing good football and we are getting goals, which is a boost for us,” Neta told The Sunday Mail Sport.
“But, above all, is the hard work that is being shown by the girls at training.
“They are pushing each other to greater heights.”
Amakhosikazi have so far dealt with ZRP, Ubuntu Queens, Street Set, Blackboots, New Orleans, Western Rangers and Lobengula City Queens.
Loxion Vipers, Entumbane, Las Palmas and Bulawayo Queens complete the 12-team Southern Region Women’s League competition.
New Orleans are one of the pioneers of women’s football in Zimbabwe, having produced players who include former Mighty Warriors captain and coach Rosemary Mugadza, Nomsa “Boyz” Moyo and Precious “Gringo” Mpala.
Current Mighty Warriors coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda, Nokuthula Ndlovu and Ruth Banda — who is married to ex-Warriors midfielder Esrom Nyandoro — also came from New Orleans.
But the tide has since changed and New Orleans have now been pushed into the shade by Bulawayo Chiefs, who look well-poised for promotion into the Super League.
“Remember, this is a new club, so, obviously, what they have done I really applaud,” says Neta.
“We wish and hope that everything goes according to plan and we finish the league unbeaten, inasmuch as we would also want to achieve the goal we set, which is not conceding a goal throughout the season.”
He added that support from stakeholders at the club had helped motivate both the girls and technical team.
“The support that we get from the team is awesome. It also brings a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of courage to the girls to go out there and fight for the brand.
“We really think that we can do that as a team as long as we believe in ourselves. I hope we will definitely get there.”
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