Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
HERENTALS Queens midfielder Yeukai Chipatiko believes “Vagoni Vebasa” are now primed to compete well in the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifiers.
The Zimbabwe representatives will jet out tomorrow for the regional eliminator slated for Johannesburg, South Africa from August 22-31.
They return to the zonal tournament, a year after finishing in the semi-finals on their debut in Blantyre, Malawi in August last year.
Only winners from this competition advance to the final tournament pitting victors from each of the continent’s six sub-regions, scheduled for later this year.
And the Zimbabwean side is looking to become the first team from this country to conquer the region in a contest that will see 10 clubs fighting for honours.
As the Students Queens concluded their final local preparation lap in Harare yesterday, the combative Chipatiko said, “I am happy with how our team has prepared for this year’s CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifiers.
“I am seeing focused girls who are determined to conquer, focused individuals who fully know the value of unity in the team.
“The attitude is magnificent. The confidence and mentality is very positive.
“The vibe is really telling. It’s unlike last year when we had a lot of nerves stiffening just at the idea that we were going to face foreign teams.”
The Zimbabwe champions are seeded in Group C alongside Mozambican giants Costa do Sol and Olympic de Moroni of Comoros and only the winners progress to the semi-finals.
It is against this background that Herentals Queens know they have a big job to complete in Johannesburg.
Group A, which is headlined by serial champions Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa has four teams from which the top two from that pool advancing to the last four.
Just like Group C, Group B has three teams with only the winners assured of a spot in the semis and bookmakers would tip Gaborone United of Botswana, who beat Herentals in the last four the last time out to win the pool.
That will set another epic semi-final showdown in what would be a repeat of last year’s encounter should the Zimbabweans conquer in their group.
