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Grace Chingoma-Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Women’s Super League football champions Herentals Queens have vowed to retain their title as they begin their new campaign this afternoon against debutants Platinum Royals at Gresham Stadium in Zvishavane.
It is a big clash as FC Platinum’s sister club are under the guidance of Mighty Warriors coach Sithetheliwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda.
She is among the top women’s football coaches in the country and has vast experience with the junior and national women’s football teams.
But the champions Herentals Queens are banking on their experience.
Herentals Queens coach Simbarashe Dedza says they want to retain the league title which they wrestled from Black Rhinos Queens last year when football returned from a two-year Covid-19-induced break.
“We are very happy and excited with the start of the league. We are also happy that we are the champions.
“We are facing a new team which did very well in Division One and are a competitive side.
”We want to defend our trophy, so we will emphasise what we want to do and are capable of doing,” said Dedza.
Despite commanding a low profile compared to the Platinum Royals coach profile, the Herentals Queens coach says he will prove his mettle on the pitch
“It is a great honour to face a coach of the calibre of Sithetheliwe who has done a lot for women’s football in Zimbabwe. But in terms of the match, we will do what we can do on the pitch,” he said.
The defending champions have maintained the squad that they had last season.
They have quality players in skipper Loveness Mukura and her vice Tabeth Mutinhiri, and good forwards in Maud Mafuruse, Praynence Zvawanda and Melody Tatenda. Former Mighty Warriors goalkeeper Lindiwe Magwede and her understudy Doreen Zvayi lead the defence that also has Polite Mabika, Alice Moyo and Talent Mukwanda. The defence only let in six goals last season.
Platinum Royals coach Sibanda feels that the defending champions are the ones under pressure as they play the newcomers.
Speaking during a media briefing in Zvishavane, Sibanda oozed confidence ahead of the start of the league.
“We are playing our first match against the defending champions obviously we are saying as league champions, Herentals are the ones under pressure.
“We are debutants in this game. We will go out there to prove ourselves. It is a motivation itself for a player to play against the best, everyone wants to prove themselves against the best so I know with a lot of psychological preparedness we will definitely do our best,” said Sibanda.
She believes her players are ripe for top-flight football.
“It’s a new team but as the technical team we are happy with the progress that has been shown by the girls. They are coming from a lower league and most of the girls would be debutants in this Super League. So it’s interesting as far as the players are concerned as everyone wishes to play at the highest level of women’s football in the country.
“If they can just maintain the confidence that they have. I know in terms of technical and tactical aspects of the game they have improved massively. We are seeing a lot of improvement and potential. As long as they have mental strength they would not be intimidated by our opponents,” she said.
Sibanda was appointed in February. Since then she has been working with the players and feels that they have improved in the aspects of the game that include physical, technical and tactical.
Fixtures:
Today: Black Rhinos Queens v Black Mambas Queens (One Commando Ground, 11am); Platinum Royals v Herentals Queens (Gresham Stadium, 1pm); Yadah Queens v Maningi Youth Academy (Yadah ground, 11am); Shine Shine Queens v MSU Queens (Mucheke, 12noon); Correctional Queens v Conduit Soccer Academy (Wagadhugu Stadium, 11am); Faithdrive Academy v Chipembere Queens (Nyamauru Ground, 10 am).
Monday: Borrow Jets v Harare City Queens (Luveve B Arena, 11 am).
Online Reporter