Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo in NDOLA, Zambia
MIGHTY Warriors coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda says her girls possess adequate spirit and heart to stop Zambia when the two cross-Zambezi rivals clash in the 4Nations Women’s Championship final at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium this evening.
The match kicks off at 6pm.
Zambia have, in recent years, always bossed Zimbabwe, with the latest such punch coming in the final of yet another 4Nations tournament in Malawi which Zambia claimed on a 3-1 victory.
And on paper, the Copper Queens look stronger with top-notch quality as they boast international playing personnel who will be playing in the WAFCON finals in Morocco next month. But Sibanda is unfazed by both the recent history and the names that Zambia carry into today’s match, where a full house is expected.
That Zimbabwe easily scrapped Lesotho aside in their 3-1 semifinal win and Zambia needed penalties to get past Kenya to get their own way after labouring in a 1-1 draw, is also a source of inspiration and motivation for the veteran coach who knows winning this tournament will do a lot to lift the mood.
“I think we last beat Zambia some years ago, maybe in 2019. Of late, they have been dominating us, but we can’t continue on that trajectory,” said Sibanda.
“I know this final won’t be easy. Zambia are preparing for the WAFCON finals and they would want a statement win that will lift their confidence going to Morocco.
“As such, the crowd, which will be their 12th man will also turn out for them.
“But I think we have enough depth and quality in our team.
“The mood the girls are in right now is so encouraging. They have the heart and enough motivation to beat Zambia.
“We came here, all the way from Zimbabwe for only one thing; to win.
“It doesn’t really matter who we play against. What matters is that we win.
“Of course, this is going to be one of the most difficult finals we would have to play, but we are prepared for it.
“Last December, we played this same final against Zambia in Malawi and we lost.
We can’t always be losing. We will put up a fight.
“We will leave everything in the pitch. If we are to lose, we have to lose, but not without putting up a fight. It’s going to be difficult, not only for us, but for both Zambia and Zimbabwe.”
Mighty Warriors captain Emmaculate Msipa, who is a veteran of the Zambezi Derby between these two nations said: “I do have a lot of confidence in our team.
“You see, we have a lot of youngsters who we are trying to guide through the process.
“They have the energy and the quality to navigate through jungles.
“This is what we have right now. We have been telling them to focus and the response has been nothing, but very positive.
“They know this is the platform for them to showcase what they have in their respective armouries. We have told them this can be the chance for them to be scouted and go where their dreams are.
“We are here to make our nation proud. We can only do that by putting in maximum effort.
“I don’t think Zambia is impossible to beat. They can be beaten with tact and industry which we will bring in full force.
“We know they will be going to WAFCON and we are rebuilding and this game is the ideal way to gauge ourselves. We are ready for the final.”
Zambia coach Nora Häuptle has had time to analyse how Zimbabwe play and she is expecting a tough encounter while one of their stars Prisca Chilufya said; “I can say we are ready for Zimbabwe. We have a duty to win the match after labouring our way against Kenya”.
