Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo in BULAWAYO
HERENTALS Queens coach Simbarashe Dedza has said a successful defence of the Independence Trophy title will be both a source of pride and inspiration for his side ahead of the 2026 Zimbabwe Women’s Premier Soccer League.
Dedza’s defending champions face MPOSA Queens in the Uhuru Cup clash in Maphisa this afternoon.
Vagoni Vebasa beat Black Rhinos Queens in the inaugural women’s Independence Trophy tie in Nemudziya, Gokwe last year.
After retaining the ZWPSL championship title, Herentals Queens are once again in contention for the Independence triumph.
Herentals Queens arrived in Bulawayo on Wednesday and trained once yesterday before they embark on their short trip to Maphisa for the possible thriller against a stubborn side that even some of the best teams in the ZWPSL failed to beat last year.
“We know what MPOSA are capable of doing,” said Dedza.
“They are a very strong team because we always struggle when we play them in the league.
“But we will be in Maphisa to defend our Independence crown.
“We have a strong team in place, that is our regular side because we want to both entertain people and win the trophy.
“We have won four league titles in the past four seasons and it will feel even sweet to win the Independence Trophy for two successive years.
“But MPOSA is a tough opponent.
They are very unpredictable and I know the match will be very tough.”
Dedza said the decision by the Government to rotate the Uhuru celebrations and the subsequent launch of the Independence Trophy clashes was a game-changer for the women’s game.
“The rotation is super,” said Dedza.
“As football people, we can inspire generations by playing in places we don’t normally play.
“I can tell you that last year in Gokwe, we had a lot of girls who took our numbers and some of them are already in our structures.
“If we had not played that Independence Cup final there, we wouldn’t be talking about the talented players we got to meet.
“We are very sure that in Maphisa, we will meet more and that’s how the game is growing. Kudos to the Government for coming up with this incredible initiative to rotate Independence celebration venues.”
The clash between Herentals Queens and MPOSA, which will wrap up the President’s Children Party will also help the two teams to gauge where they are ahead of the start of the ZWPSL season next week.
