adminat Sinaba Stadium at 3pm.
The local soccer has been left with a lot of soul searching following the defeat of the Warriors last weekend and the events which keep unfolding back home about the chaotic travel arrangements of the men’s senior national team.
This has cast a shadow here as everyone keeps wondering what is becoming of our national game.
However, yesterday, the Mighty Warriors’ technical advisor, Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe, said they hope to give the fans something to cheer their spirits by winning the friendly encounter against the neighbours.
“It is our aim that we put, at least, a smile on the faces of the soccer supporters,” said Jongwe.
“A lot is going on at the moment but there is no need to panic and people should just let the rebuilding exercise of the senior men’s team take place.
“Here, I think the girls are prepared and we will upstage the South Africans.
“They are a strong side, we acknowledge that and they have done better us in terms of achievements. They have been to the Olympics Games and Africa Cup of Nations.
“But we will give it our best shot. Remember we have to prepare convincingly for the Cosafa Championship.
“The coaches have worked on the areas which we found wanting in Lusaka and we expect a more polished performance in terms of retaining possession and finishing.”
The Mighty Warriors will be seeking to beat the hosts in their backyard after posting another victory in Lusaka two weeks ago when they won 1-3.
Inline Academy striker, Rudo Neshamba, Black Rhinos Queens’ striker Rutendo Makore and captain Felistas “Figo” Muzongondi scored for the Mighty Warriors in that game.
Yesterday, the team rounded off their training programme with a session at the match venue in the afternoon and all the players appeared to be geared for the tie.
While the coaches are yet to announce their first team, from the way they have been training, it appeared that goalkeeper Chido Dzingirai, who is now the first choice goalminder, would be on between the posts ahead of Portia Mukucha.
The Flame Lily goalie featured in the match against Zambia and gaffer Jongwe said the technical team would be making a few changes to the team which played two weeks ago.
Defender Nobuhle Majika is likely to be thrust on the right back position while Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri would be on his usual left wing back position.
Veteran defender, Melody Musasa, who was vice-captain to Nomsa “Boyz” Moyo-led Mighty Warriors at the turn of the millennium, is still making it into the national team and is expected to play in central defence and will be partnered by Cyclone Stars’ Danai Bhobho.
The defender was even part of the team which toured Uruguay early this year.
There has been a slow graduation of young players into the national team and for the past two years only Young Mighty Warriors’ midfielder, Mavis Chirandu, is now making it into the final team but still fails to command a first team place.
The South African’s team, which takes on Zimbabwe this afternoon, has changed from that side which lost to Zimbabwe in the Cosafa Championship finals at Rufaro.
While there are still some familiar faces, such as skipper Amanda Dlamini and Noku Matlou in this afternoon’s team, a number of new faces will be in action for South Africa as coach Joseph Mkhonza continue to blend new and old players.
The Mighty Warriors’ midfield is likely to have the usual faces, Talent Mandaza in the defensive role, and she will be complimented by star midfielder Marjoury Nyaumwe, who two months ago was in Germany at trials with Bundesliga side Bayern Munich.
Skipper Muzongondi will be operating from the right while Nokuthula Ndlovu on the left.
Inline Academy striker Rudo Neshamba and Rutendo Makore will lead the Mighty Warriors strike force and will have to do more to breach the defence of Banyana Banyana which kept a clean sheet when they demolished Mozambique 5-0 last weekend.
Probable team
Chido Dzingirai, Nobuhle Majika, Melody Musasa, Danai Bhobho, Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri, Talent Mandaza, Marjoury Nyaumwe, Felistas Muzongondi, Nokuthula Ndlovu, Rudo Neshamba, Rutendo Makore.
Online Reporter