Mighty Warriors face Banyana Banyana in Unity Day clash

are bracing for a tough encounter in tomorrow’s International Challenge Cup match at Rufaro.
The Unity Day clash is free of charge.
Interestingly, South African coach Joseph Mkhonza’s first assignment as Banyana gaffer was in last year’s Unity Cup match at Rufaro.
And a year later, with a place at next year’s prestigious London Summer Games firmly in hand, Mkhonza returns to where it all started, where he launched his career, with the team, which tomorrow may be rewarded by Caf as the best Women’s African Team of the Year.
And with London preparations set to start in Harare tomorrow, South Africa mean serious business, and have brought a full strength squad laced with foreign based stars.
They have brought Russia-based midfielder Nompumelelo Nyandeni, who is also in the running for the Caf African Women Footballer of the year, with the winner set to be unveiled at Caf’s Awards Gala scheduled for tomorrow at the Banquet Hall, State House in Accra, Ghana .
United States of America based goalkeeper Barker Roxanne, who can also play as an in field player and was recently voted the second best women’s soccer footballer in America, has also made the short trip in her second national team call up due to college commitments.
Fellow United States based midfielder Kylie Ann Louw completes the foregin contingent, which will come into the fray blending with the local laden talent comprising former Caf footballer Noko Matlou, steely defender Janine van Wyk and inspirational captain Amanda Dlamini.
And the coach has also thrown into the fray up-and-coming players who were part of the developmental squad that humbled Zimbabwe 4-1 at the All-Africa Games in Maputo.
South Africa are not taking Zimbabwe lightly and Mkhonza believes it would not be a stroll in the park.
There has been stiff competition for jerseys in the Banyana squad which has been in camp for the past three weeks with 30 players fighting it out to be in the final 18. The coach conceded it was really tough to come up with the best squad.
Tomorrow marks exactly a year in office for the soft-spoken mentor and Mkhonza says the Unity Cup will forever have a special place in heart.
“My first assignment as a coach was on this day in this match (Challenge Cup), so for me Unity Day means a lot and I hope one day I will just come to celebrate this day,” said Mkhonza.
South Africa would also be playing in the African Women Championships qualifiers but have been handed a bye in the preliminary round when the Mighty Warriors begin their campaign next month.
And the Banyana camp says they have embraced the qualifiers to further prepare for the London Games.