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Veronica Gwaze
Sports Reporter
Some stakeholders and followers of the Zimbabwe senior women’s football team have openly declared they are not Mighty Warriors coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda’s fans.
The coach has largely been accused of being arrogant and averse to both advice and criticism. Her recent re-appointment as the Mighty Warriors coach has re-ignited those concerns from her critics.
But the former Zimbabwe international and Chapungu Queens coach has chosen to remain silent and let her work do the talking.
In less than a fortnight, her Mighty Warriors will plunge into competition when they feature at the 2024 edition of the COSAFA Women’s Championship in Gqeberha, South Africa.
The tournament is scheduled for October 22 to November 2, with a record 14 nations expected to battle for honours at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in the port city.
Sibanda’s side have been drawn in Group D alongside Lesotho and Mozambique.
They will open their campaign with a date against Mozambique on October 24.
Three days later, the Mighty Warriors will face Lesotho in a competition in which only the group winners will proceed to the semi-finals.
Sibanda, who still has to convince her naysayers, is alive to the fact that the COSAFA tournament will be another chance for her to silence the critics.
“This is a very huge task and l believe that approaching it with the right perspective will take us to where we want,” she said.
“Leading this team is a huge honour and privilege, but a big responsibility, considering what is at hand.”
While other nations released their provisional teams some weeks ago and have already begun their preparations, the Mighty Warriors’ squad was only released on Friday.
Their preparations are expected to get underway this week. Sibanda understands that a lot needs to be done.
“Where we are competing, the standards are consistently improving, so we need good planning, focus and teamwork if we are going to make an impact. As a coach, I am aware of the challenge, but I am confident in our collective ability as a team,” she said.
Having watched the team fell short of legs in their previous assignments, Sibanda this time dropped some of the old horses who have donned national colours for years.
Seasoned stars including Chido Dzingirai, Lindiwe Magede, Rudo Neshamba, Marjory Nyaumwe and Felistas Muzongondi have been left out. Sibanda has instead brought in such young talent like Ethel Chinyerere, Mitchel John, Patience Ndlovu, Peacemore Kanende, Morelife Nyagumbo, Sheila Antonio, Precious Mudyiwa and Vanessa Lunga.
“Looking at most of the national teams, there has been reliable continuity, so their games have become fast-paced,” she said.
“We also have to do the same, so it means bringing in younger players who can give us the speed. There are still a few older players left on the team to give us the much-needed experience, leadership and confidence.”
Given the little time left before the COSAFA tournament starts, Sibanda has the tough task of ensuring there is cohesion in the squad she has assembled.
That she is no stranger to the Mighty Warriors set up stands Sibanda in good stead to navigate some tricky patches.
She has been in the set up both as assistant and head coach during her previous stints.
Notably, she was an assistant to Shadreck Mlauzi when the Mighty Warriors scaled heights by reaching the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Provisional Squad:
Cynthia Shonga (Richmond Ladies, SA); Vanessa Lunga (Chapungu Queens FC); Precious Mudyiwa (Black Rhinos Queens FC); Mirriam Ali (ZRP Harare Queens FC); Agness Tumbare (Herentals Queens FC); Nobukhosi Ncube (Chapungu Queens FC); Alice Moyo (Herentals Queens FC); Sheila Antonio (Chapungu Queens FC); Fiona Kabera (Conduit Soccer Academy); Purity Mugayi (Black Rhinos Queens FC); Lauryn Mupasi (FC Platinum Royals); Fortunate Ngocho (Black Mambas Queens FC); Talent Chimbadzo (Sheasham Queens FC); Morelife Nyagumbo (Faith Drive Academy); Ennert Chemhere (FC Platinum Royals); Daisy Kaitano (Black Rhinos Queens FC); Peacemore Kenende (Richmond Ladies, SA); Natasha Ndowa (Chapungu Queens FC); Shyline Dambamuromo (Herentals Queens FC); Nadia Semba (Correctional Queens FC); Edeline Mutumbami (Chapungu Queens FC); Tanyaradzwa Chihoro (Maningi Youth Soccer Academy); Patience Ndlovu (Highlanders Royals FC); Ethel Chinyerere (Chapungu Queens FC); Maud Mafuruse (Herentals Queens FC); Privilege Mupeti (Black Rhinos Queens FC); Praynance Zvawanda (Herentals Queens FC); Christabel Katona (Black Rhinos Queens FC); Kudakwashe Basopo (Black Mambas Queens FC); Mitchel John (Harare City Queens FC)
Online Reporter