adminGeophrey Sifani Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE senior women soccer team’s preparations for the African Women’s Cup suffered a setback following cancellation of their friendly match against Botswana which was scheduled for this afternoon at Luveve Stadium. The Mighty Warriors who will also represent the country at the August Rio 2016 Summer Olympics have been camping in Bulawayo since Monday.
They last had a competitive match last year in October where they edged Cameroon 1-0 in the final qualifier of the Olympics Games. The Mighty Warriors made history by becoming the first local football side to qualify for the Olympics.
Playing Botswana would have given their coach Shadreck Mlauzi an opportunity to look at his team’s state of preparedness. However, all hopes of playing Botswana are not lost with Zifa saying that they are making frantic efforts to reschedule the friendly match.
“Logistical challenges have led to the postponement of the friendly match and we’re now working on getting another date for the fixture. Hopefully, by Monday we will be able to avail all the information regarding the state of the Mighty Warriors and the details set for their camp,” said Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela.
The national women’s team reported for camp in Bulawayo on Monday and spent the better part of the week doing fitness exercises which coach Mlauzi said will be key in drafting his tactical programme.
The Mighty Warriors travel to Tanzania for their African Women’s Cup qualifiers against the Twiga Stars in a fortnight. The first leg against the East Africans is on the weekend of March 4 to 6 with the return fixture coming two weeks later.
Should they knock Tanzania out of the qualifiers; the Mighty Warriors will face the winner between Zambia and Namibia in the next stage.
The African Women’s Cup finals will be held in Cameroon in December.
Mighty Warriors camping squad:
Goalkeepers: Chido Dzingirai (Flame Lily), Lindiwe Magwede (Cyclone Stars), Vanessa Lunga (Black Rhinos)
Defenders: Nobuhle Majika (Inline Academy), Sheila Makoto (Blue Swallows), Eunice Chibanda, Lynette Mutokuto, Daisy Kaitano, Patience Mujuru, Rufaro Machingura (all Black Rhinos), Nobukhosi Ncube, Prisca Khumalo (New Orleans), Sarudzai Chikowore (Conduit)
Midfielders: Emmaculate Msipa, Talent Mandaza, Viola Ndlovu (all Black Rhinos), Rejoice Kapfumvuti, Sifundile Moyo (Inline Academy), Felistas Muzongondi (Mwenezana), Marjory Nyaumwe (Flame Lily), Greater Bhande (Cyclone Stars), Aldiglade Bhamu (Mufakose), Mavis Chirandu (Weerams), Nomazulu Tshuma (Hwange)
Strikers: Rudo Neshamba (Weerams), Erina Jeke, Samkelisiwe Zulu (all Flame Lily), Tonderai Masango, Priviledge Mupeti (all Inline Academy), Sibonginkosi Nleya (Chapungu)
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