Mighty Warriors date Banyana

international matches in Johannesburg.
South Africa are participating at the women’s version of the Africa Cup of Nations which will run from October 28 to November 11 in Malabo.
Banyana will open their group A campaign with an opening tie against hosts Equatorial Guinea before engaging Senegal and Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Mighty Warriors were booted in the qualifying rounds by Nigeria, who are in Group B, which also feature 2012 London Olympic finalists Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire and East Africans Ethiopia.
The Super Falcons are Afcon seven-time champions while hosts Equatorial Guinea have won the tournament when they lifted it on home soil in 2008.
The hosts will be hoping to use the home advantage again while the Super Falcons, who failed to qualify for this year’s Summer Games, want to atone for the disappointment by adding another title and underline their status as the African powerhouse.
Banyana Banyana, who also qualified for the first time for the Olympic Games but had a disappointing time in the UK, are now focusing on the continental tournament. They invited Zimbabwe to help Banyana coach Joseph Mkhonza make his final assessment before selecting the team, which will travel to the West African nation.
Yesterday, the Zimbabwe women’s soccer team began training for the international matches after reporting for camp on Sunday evening.
Mighty Warriors team manager, Charity Munemo, said they were ready to participate in the matches which have come at the right time after failing to play an international friendly with Democratic Republic of Congo a week ago at Morris Depot.
“We have always wanted to keep in shape by engaging in international matches.
“These matches will also form part of our preparations for our Unity Day Cup.
“South Africa have invited us because they know what we are capable of and we will give them a good run despite failing to qualify for the African Cup of Nations.
Coach Rosemary Mugadza will trim her squad of 25 players to 18 players tomorrow before the team’s departure on Thursday.
There are no suprises in the squad with Black Rhinos Queens defender Patience Mujuru making a return into the national team fold after a lengthy period on the sidelines as she was undergoing military training.
There is a place for 15-year-old Cyclone midfielder Greater Bande in the provisional squad as the coach continues to assess players she has been identifying in the Marange Resources Women’s Soccer League.
Meanwhile, log leaders Black Rhinos suffered their first league defeat of the season on Saturday when they lost 1-3 to Flame Lily Queens to end an 11-match unbeaten run in the Marange Resources Women’s Soccer League. Flame Lily Patience Masitara scored a double while Mighty Warriors striker Erina Jeke added another goal. Mufakose Queens thrashed Masvingo Queens 11-0 to move within a point of the leaders.
Mighty Warriors Squad
Onai Chingawo, Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri, Eunice Chibanda, Faith Chasi, Melody Musasa, Emma Msipa (all Mufakose), Talent Mandaza, Patience Mujuru, Kuda Basopo, Rufaro Machingura, Rutendo Makore (all Black Rhinos), Chido Dzingirai, Erina Jeke (Flame Lily), Nobuhle Majika, Samukelisiwe Zulu, Rudo Neshamba, Rejoice Kamvumvuti (all Inline Academy), Portia Mukucha, Nokuthula Ndlovu, Sicelo Dube(all New Orleans), Felistas Muzongondi, Danai Bhobho, Greater Bande(all Cyclone Stars),Marjoury Nyaumwe (Aces Academy), Locadia Mugavazi (Cosa Guruve).