Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
MIGHTY Warriors coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda expects her charges to put on a refined show but warned they needed to always look over their shoulders when they play Angola in a 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, first round, first leg qualifier in Luanda this afternoon.
Zimbabwe are seeking to secure qualification for the continental show-piece for the first time since 2016.
But they need to first clear the Angola hurdle in a two-legged fixture whose return will be staged at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, next week.
The winner of this first-round tie would also have to negotiate past another COSAFA derby assignment with Malawi awaiting them in the final qualification round.
For now the Mighty Warriors would have to think less of the Malawi challenge as they have their focus fixated on today’s match.
Sibanda, a veteran of the game, having played for the Mighty Warriors, said Zimbabwe needed to fully concentrate and ensure they carry with them a result to South Africa, where they will be home away from home.
“We have done a lot of groundwork to really get to the required standard in order to perform well,” said Sibanda.
“The response has been quite overwhelming, starting from back home when we had the local-based players as we started camp early.
“And when we arrived here, the foreign-based contingent joined in. We don’t have any challenge in terms of integrating the players. Danai (Bhobho) and Emmaculate (Msipa) have played together before, and Rue (Ruvimbo Mucherera) has also been with the team when we were still home .
“Yolanda (Kanyai) has also blended in well. Basically, the team is ready, and there is a lot of teamwork. We are expecting to have a good game.”
Although Zimbabwe have in the past not found it any difficult to beat the Palancas Negras, having massacred them 4-1 in their last meeting — a COSAFA match played in South Africa in 2019 — Sibanda does not want the Mighty Warriors to dwell much on that history.
“We have played Angola before, and they are a very athletic team, so we need to be really in our best defensive shape in terms of our organisation at the back,” she added.
“Going forward, I know that we have got a lot of manpower, a lot of arsenal, going forward as a team. We are also very strong defensively and in midfield. I think our team is very balanced, but obviously it’s been a long time since we played Angola.
“So, we don’t have to consider history going into this game. They have been together, and we don’t know what they have been doing. We know all the nations across the continent have been improving.
“We are expecting a really tough game, and worse, they will be backed by their supporters, but we will stay true to our tactics right from the back going forward.”
Sibanda’s vision is well shared across the team, with captain Msipa expressing optimism derived from the high levels of motivation the girls have always displayed.
“I am delighted to be back in the Mighty Warriors fold and always delighted to represent my country. I am grateful to be part of the team and happy to see both old and new faces in the team,” said Msipa.
“I am hoping that we are going to deliver good results. The morale in the group is very high; there is positive energy and a positive mindset in the team. I am very happy.
“I hope we will do well on the field of play. To our twelfth man, wherever you are, please rally behind us. We promise to deliver the goods in tomorrow’s (today’s) game.”
The Mighty Warriors are expected to usher in a new era under a new ZIFA leadership elected into office last month.
The mother body’s executive committee have already won the hearts and souls of the nation, not least after giving the Mighty Warriors training allowances for the first time during the ongoing camp.
ZIFA vice-president Loveness Mukura led the delegation as the team flew out to Luanda, with president Nqobile Magwizi expected to arrive in Luanda this morning and in time for the match.
Mukura, who recently hung up her boots after years of playing for Herentals Queens, is part of an executive that has refreshingly vowed to ensure parity in the way in which both the Warriors and the Mighty Warriors are remunerated.
Probable Mighty Warriors XI:
Lindiwe Magwede, Nobukhosi Ncube, Alice Moyo, Egness Tumbare, Sheila Antonio, Emmaculate Msipa, Daisy Kaitano, Danai Bhobho, Rutendo Makore, Ruvimbo Mucherera, Ethel Chinyerere
