Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
UNITY will be the Mighty Warriors’ biggest weapon when they face Malawi in a high-stakes Olympic qualifying battle next month.
New coach Stella Gotal knows talent alone will not be enough when Zimbabwe travel to Bingu Stadium for the first leg of their Paris 2028 Olympic second-round qualifier on October 9, with the return leg set for the National Sports Stadium on October 13.
Gotal, who took charge with a mandate to rebuild and rebrand the Mighty Warriors, has unveiled a 26-member provisional squad that blends experience, returning stars and exciting new faces.
And after weeks of scouting local Women’s Premier Soccer League and Cup matches, the Romanian-born coach has made it clear what she wants from her charges- Togetherness.
“I believe that there is so much talent in Zimbabwe, we have amazing players both locally and beyond and even more talent that we have not yet discovered out there,” she said.
“Here we tried to come up with a good squad, maintaining balance in all departments but above all that our major fighting weapon will be unity.
“If we fight as a united squad, speaking in one voice, playing with and for each other we can make it. . . remember we are looking beyond just one result.”
Zimbabwe were handed a first-round bye and will now face Malawi in the second round of the qualifiers.
The second round features 29 teams that received direct byes from the first round, alongside three winners from the opening round — Comoros and the winners of the South Sudan/Madagascar and Mauritius/Djibouti ties.
For Gotal, the mission is bigger than simply getting past Malawi.
Zimbabwe are chasing a second Olympic appearance after making history at Rio 2016.
And the coach has largely retained the core that featured in recent COSAFA and Four-Nations Tournament campaigns while opening the door to players who fit her style.
Highly-rated midfielder Dana Bhobho makes a long-awaited return after rediscovering her form at Eswatini side Nsingizini Hotspurs.
Zambia-based Ethel Chinyerere is also back after spending months in the Zambian Super League.
ZWPSL champions Herentals Queens provide the biggest contingent, with Praynance Zvawanda, Shyline Dambamuromo, Alice Moyo, Cynthia Shonga, Bridget Mutaurwa and Egness Tumbare retaining their places.
Defender Maud Mafuruse also returns to the national fold.
Veteran striker Rutendo Makore, one of the Mighty Warriors’ leading all-time scorers, is expected to shoulder the goalscoring burden against a dangerous Malawi side.
There could also be several new faces making their international debuts.
Tanyaradzwa Nyakuchena, Saliah Johnson, Peacemore Kanende, Timukudzeishe Mudziviri, Sasha Mariano, Samiah Phiri and Farirayi Kuhudzai are all in line for their first appearances in Zimbabwe colours.
The squad could also boast one of the biggest foreign-based contingents in the team’s history.
Gotal believes that blend can make Zimbabwe less predictable while adding depth to the squad.
But before tactics, formations and game plans, the coach wants to build a dressing room that sticks together.
“Without unity, the journey can be very tough, so first of all we have to make a united dressing room and then put our heads together to figure out how we can navigate the space,” Gotal said.
“Talent alone will not beat Malawi or any other team, we need to gel quickly, understand each other, fight for each other while also maintaining discipline.
“That unity is what will make us strong in camp and on the pitch.”
Malawi’s Scorchers have developed into one of the region’s competitive sides, known for their physical and high-pressing approach.
Gotal will therefore want her charges to be disciplined, compact and clinical when the two sides meet.
The Mighty Warriors are expected to regroup in the coming days, giving Gotal her first opportunity to work with the squad as she begins preparations for the trip to Malawi.
For a team dreaming of another Olympic appearance, the message from the new coach is simple: Stick together and fight together.
