Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE senior women’s football team’s destiny at the ongoing Cosafa Cup tournament is in their hands as they step into New Peter Mokaba Stadium this afternoon.
Kick-off is pencilled in for 12 noon, where the Mighty Warriors will be hoping for a podium finish when they face Zambia.
The two sides face off for the second time in seven days after their Group B encounter ended in a goalless draw.
This was before both nations qualified for the semi-finals of the tournament where Zambia went on to be knocked out by Namibia (0-1) while Zimbabwe succumbed to South Africa 4-3 in penalties.
Now Zimbabwe and Zambia will fight for bronze while South Africa and Namibia tussle for top honours.
The Mighty Warriors who were yet to taste defeat in the tournament until the heart-breaking semis will be hoping to wrap up their campaign on a positive note.
Head coach Sithethelelwe Sibanda notes that a bronze finish will be good consolation for the Mighty Warriors.
“There is still so much to play for, a bronze medal will not be bad for us, especially with where we are coming from,” she said.
In the previous Cosafa edition, the Mighty Warriors were eliminated in the group stages.
This time, for a side coming from the off season straight into the tournament, Sibanda feels that her side fought hard enough.
However, today’s battle might be tough after captain Nobukhosi Ncube picked a knee injury.
The right back who is also trusted with freekicks has played a crucial role in all the Mighty Warriors’ games after playing all the minutes in group stages only to be stretched off in the semis’ second-half.
Christabel Katona will be putting on the armband and expected to lead from the middle of the park while trusted horses, Ethel Chinyerere and Praynance Zvawanda, will be required to find goals for Zimbabwe.
If the two nations once again play to a stalemate, it means they will progress to penalty shoot outs.
According to the tournament rules, only the finals can proceed to extra time and then the penalties if they play to a draw in regulation time.
“We have to improve when it comes to taking penalties because we don’t want to make the same mistakes again . . . from the semi-final, it means that this is an area that we have to pay a lot of attention to,” added Sibanda.
“We know that psychologically some of the takers and other youngsters had been affected, this is their first proper tournament and the semi-finals atmosphere was intimidating so stage fright took over.
“We know what needs to be done and today it all comes down to us and how much we fight because there is still so much to play for hence we need to fight like it’s a Cup final.”
Stalwart Katona told Zimpapers sport that she believes the Mighty Warriors now have been transformed into real fighters, who have no fear even taking on Wafcon-bound sides in open play.
She said after holding Zambia in the group stages and South Africa in the semi finals’ regulation time she believes they can afford to walk with a spring in their step and even strike fear into the hearts of their opponents.
As leader, Katona said, she is humbled to be leading such a special group, which doesn’t have very big names but, when their individual qualities are combined, they can stand toe-to-toe with any of the giants in the game.
“Some of our current players are Under-20s, they have been putting in quite a shift and it shows that the foundation of our future has been laid well,” she said.
“The young crop is self-motivated, and coming into today’s game obviously they want to give it their all so that they return home from their first tournament with something to show for their participation.”
The girls were cheered by the arrival of Zimbabwean women football founder Susan Chivizhe, veteran administrator Theresa Maguraushe and the presence of Zimbabwe Football Association vice president
Loveness Mukura who has been with the team at their base for a week.
Zifa president Nqobile Magwizi also addressed the Mighty Warriors through a tele-conference appreciating them for their exploits at the ongoing tournament.
“We are grateful for how much you have done, as Zifa we want to appreciate and continue to support you for raising our national flag and representing us well in this edition,” said Magwizi.
“We will continue to support you as much as we can because it takes a lot of sacrifice for you to go out there and fight for the badge . . . it is something that we have to applaud you for.”
Bongani Ndlovu