Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
MIGHTY Warriors coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda has maintained virtually the same players, who were in action at the Three Nations tourney last month, for the COSAFA tournament.
The tourney, set to be held in South Africa between February 18 and March 1, will serve as a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
This has raised stakes and Sibanda said her team will get into camp on Sunday.
“All is in order, we are finalising the modalities so that when the girls get here, everything will be in place and we will be good to go without any disturbances.
“If you look at it, we have maintained almost the same team that did duty in December because we noted that we can come up with a solid plan for the future.
“We felt that the team has a lot of potential hence we did not want to disturb it that much.
“The team is a blend of youngsters, some who are graduating from the junior teams into the seniors.
“They bring in fresh legs and a new dimension into our game, which is what we need in our bid to reclaim our glory on the international scene.”
The coach is alive to the fact that the Mighty Warriors’ journey will not be easy, but the foundation, she said, is set.
Notable refreshments were in the goalkeeping department where Sibanda laid off veteran Lindiwe Magwede, bringing in Platinum Queens’ Vanessa Lunga.
Cynthia Shonga also bounces back between the sticks following a brief sabbatical.
“Some of the players made their debut for the national team in December and the technical team was impressed with what we saw,” said Sibanda.
“Further, our league is currently off-season and most of the players are not active so we are largely building from where we left in December.
“For some time, we will maintain the team as it is while we make a few new introductions here and there.”
Sibanda said senior players – Rutendo Makore, Egness Tumbare, Sheila Antonio and Daisy Kaitano – have been retained to bring experience and stability to the team.
Provisional Squad
Cynthia Shonga (Herentals Queens), Delight Matigwene (Chapungu Queens), Vanessa S. Lunga (Platinum Royals), Bridget Mutaurwa (Herentals Queens), Nobukhosi Ncube (Chapungu Queens), Egness Tumbare (Correctional Queens), Nokukhanya Ndlovu (Platinum Royals), Fiona Kabera (Conduit Soccer Academy), Melinda Mapasure (Faithdrive Academy), Sheila Antonio (Chapungu Queens), Alice Moyo (Herentals Queens), Lucia Chisvo (Black Rhinos Queens), Christabel Katona (Black Rhinos Queens), Daisy Kaitano (Black Rhinos Queens), Shyline Dambamuromo (Herentals Queens), Macgirl Sipini (Harare City Queens), Tasha Dube (Sheasham Queens), Bethel Kondo (Herentals Queens), Ennert Chemhere (Platinum Royals), Caroline Mangwai (Black Rhinos Queens), Tanyaradzwa Chihoro (Unattached), Anita Ncube (Kwekwe Queens), Ethel Chinyerere (Chapungu Queens), Priviledge Mupeti (Black Rhinos Queens), Praynance Zvawanda (Herentals Queens), Thandolwenkosi Sibanda (Mpopoma Soccer Academy), Rutendo Makore (Black Rhinos Queens), Blessing Dube (Correctional Queens).
daniel chigunwe