Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
HERENTALS Queens have no time to dwell on their continental disappointment as they prepare to face Scottland Queens in the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup tomorrow.
The Zimbabwe Women’s Premier Soccer League defending champions recently returned home after an early exit from the ongoing COSAFA Women’s CAF Champions League qualifiers in Botswana.
Herentals won once, beating Lesotho Defence Forces 1-0, in their Group A matches, while losing 5-2 to ZESCO Ndola Girls of Zambia and 1-0 to Gaborone United of Botswana.
The three points were not enough to take them into the tournament’s knock-out rounds.
Having arrived back home earlier in the week, Herentals have already shifted their focus to the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup clash in search of consolation.
Head coach Simbarashe Dedza said they immediately began preparations for the national tournament, with the lessons from CAF now central to their two domestic campaigns.
“It was an experience and a half, and as a club, we just have to focus on the positives and make sure that we build on that going forward,” Dedza said.
“The girls picked up valuable lessons which will mould us going into the Munhumutapa Cup and in our quest to defend the domestic championship for the fifth consecutive time.”
Herentals are now eyeing the Munhumutapa Cup while also defending their ZWPSL championship.
Although they face a Northern Region Division One side, Dedza said “Vagoni Vebasa”, as Herentals are affectionately known, are going all out for victory.
“We learnt a lot in the Champions League about intensity and game management, something which I believe we should make use of in this game,” Dedza said.
“We played three games in a week, so obviously there is some fatigue. Hence, we need to manage ourselves very well if we are to progress to the next round.
“Early goals will help ease the pressure on us, so we are leaving nothing to chance. We need as many goals as we can because, with a comfortable lead, we can then manage the game.”
Herentals are currently well placed in the ZWPSL standings, with their two games in hand capable of catapulting them back to the summit.
After 15 matches, the defending champions occupy fourth position with 36 points, while Chapungu lead the pack with 40.
Dedza said the Munhumutapa fixture would also provide a useful preparatory platform ahead of their coming league matches.
“We want to reclaim our lead in the league and also make sure that we bag the maiden Munhumutapa Cup, which is a chance for us to add silverware to our cabinet,” he said.
“Scottland Queens, themselves title contenders in their league, will not be easy opponents. We are expecting a tough test, so we will put our best foot forward.
“For us, the week was just straight back to work after the Botswana outing, as the target remains the same: to win every trophy available locally.”
