Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TWICE in the Cosafa Cup tournament history the Mighty Warriors have faced South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in the elimination stages. In both 2002 and 2017, the two sides clashed in the finals, with South Africa dominating on both occasions and winning 2-1 in each match. As fate would have it, they meet again — this time in the semi-finals.
Zimbabwe qualified for the last four as the best placed overall runner-up after defeating Eswatini 2-0 and Botswana 1-0, before drawing 0-0 with Zambia in Group B. This afternoon, they face tournament favourites South Africa, while the other semi-final features Zambia against Namibia. Kick-off is at 3PM at New Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Head coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda will be hoping to finally break the long-standing jinx, and she believes the situation is different this time around.
“The girls are self-motivated, such fixtures always come with a little push in which each player wants to come out and do their best,” said the coach. “We know it is a giant task that we are faced with but I can tell you that the girls are eager to go out and fight hard . . . they are always full of passion.”
The Mighty Warriors held their only training session yesterday afternoon ahead of the semi-final encounter. Sibanda acknowledges the weight of history on this fixture and says they are determined to rewrite the script when they step onto the New Peter Mokaba turf. The former Mighty Warriors star knows the terrain well, having been part of the squad that lifted the regional cup in 2011 — a final in which they famously beat South Africa.
While Zimbabwe’s history against Banyana Banyana at the tournament has been unkind, hopes rest on “Kwinji 15” to guide the team back to greatness.
“It has been years with the girls representing the nation for little to no remuneration. With the Government coming through to motivate them this time, it was a huge inspiration for the girls and as a coach, that motivation factor means a lot for the girls. Technically, we are going to compete; we have our own strategies that we will implement as a team and we will not allow history to intimidate us.”
The Mighty Warriors are aiming to reclaim their former status on the regional stage, and progressing beyond the semi-finals would be a major boost. Sibanda is expected to combine experience with speed to break down South Africa, with in-form striker Rutendo Makore leading the attack, supported by Praynance Zvawanda and Ethel Chinyerere. Midfielder Christabel Katona is expected to anchor the centre of the pitch alongside captain Nobukhosi Ncube.
South Africa, however, are approaching the match with caution. Their captain and goalkeeper Dineo Magagula has warned her team against complacency.
“Zimbabwe are a very strong side, we saw them when they played Zambia so getting into the semi-final we know that they should never be underestimated. It is very important for us to fight from the onset, we want to bring the Cup home so to play Zimbabwe in the elimination round means we should leave no room for complacency because once they score first, it will be difficult for us to chase the game.
“They have the experience on their team, and of late we have seen them bring in youngsters whom we know are capable of giving us a good run. We have to be able to stop them in their strongest areas, they are also good in wing play while they also have goal poachers in their team so we have to be very sharp defensively,” she said.
