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The Zimbabwe women’s football team are set to host Angola at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, for the second leg of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 Qualifiers.
The match on February 26 will decide which team goes through to the next round of the qualifiers after they had met in the first leg six days earlier in Luanda.
The Mighty Warriors had to find an alternative home ground since the country currently has no FIFA or CAF-approved stadiums to host international matches.
Their counterparts, the Warriors, have also been playing home matches in South Africa of late.
New ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi, who has promised to revamp facilities, yesterday said the association was solidly behind the women’s team.
“We stand firmly behind our Mighty Warriors as they prepare for this vital encounter. Their dedication to representing Zimbabwe with honour is truly commendable.
“As an association, we are committed to providing all necessary support to ensure their success.
“Together, we believe we can achieve greatness and bring the AFCON dream closer to reality,” said Magwizi.
The Mighty Warriors yesterday continued with their training camp at the ZESA Training Centre in Harare.
Coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda is working with an enlarged 29-member squad, which blends youth and experience.
The squad is dominated by players from the local league, with former Premier League champions Black Rhinos contributing six players.
Chapungu Queens, who are also under the tutelage of Sibanda, have five, while reigning champions Herentals Queens provided four.
Young Africans midfielder Danai Bhobho has also been called.
Notably, Ruvimbo Mucherera, the only Zimbabwean female player to have participated in the UEFA Champions League, has been called up.
Mucherera currently plays for Maccabi Haddera in the Israel Women’s Premier League.
Veteran Emmaculate Msipa, also plying her trade in Israel with Ramat Hasharon, has also been included, as did Australian-based forward Yolanda Kanyai, who plays for Darwin Olympic Sporting Club.
If they get past the Angola hurdle, Zimbabwe will then face the winner between Malawi and Congo.
With the squad now beefed up by both seasoned players and fresh talent, Sibanda is determined to send the Mighty Warriors to the 2026 AFCON finals in Morocco.
“The players have shown exceptional commitment and passion from the onset,” said Sibanda.
“Our focus is on building a cohesive unit that plays with heart and purpose. We are determined to make Zimbabwe proud and secure our spot in the Women’s AFCON.”
The CAF Women’s AFCON 2026 Qualifiers will feature 38 teams competing for 12 spots in the final tournament, scheduled for Morocco.
Host nation Morocco qualifies automatically, while six top-ranked teams, including defending champions South Africa, Zambia, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Cameroon, have a first-round bye.
Mighty Warriors Provisional Squad:
Goalkeepers: Vanessa Lunga (Chapungu Queens), Lindiwe Magwede (Herentals Queens), Precious Mudyiwa (Black Rhinos Queens), Sasha Machona (Maningi YSA)
Defenders: Sheila Antonio (Chapungu Queens), Egness Tumbare (Correctional Queens), Nobukhosi Ncube (Chapungu Queens), Alice Moyo (Herentals Queens), Nokukhanya Ndlovu (FC Platinum Royals), Fortunate Ngocho (Black Mambas Queens), Purity Mugayi (Black Rhinos Queens)
Midfielders: Daisy Kaitano (Black Rhinos Queens), Emmaculate Msipa (Ramat Hasharon WFC, Israel), Shyline Dambamuromo (Herentals Queens), Danai Bhobho (Young Africans, Tanzania), Mavis Chirandu (Black Rhinos Queens), Christabel Katona (Black Rhinos Queens), Ennert Chemhere (FC Platinum Royals), Morelife Nyagumbo (Faithdrive Academy), Nadia Semba (Correctional Queens), Natasha Ndowa (Chapungu Queens), Patience Ndlovu (Highlanders Royals)
Forwards: Ethel Chinyerere (Chapungu Queens), Rutendo Makore (Black Rhinos Queens FC), Yolanda Kanyai (Darwin Olympic Sporting Club, Australia), Ruvimbo Mucherera (Maccabi Hadera WFC, Israel), Maud Mafuruse (Herentals Queens), Mitchel John (Harare City Queens), Anita Ncube (Faithdrive Academy)
Online Reporter