Mighty Warriors face toughest test

their last international friendly soccer match here tonight.
Zimbabwe has been playing lower division sides in their practice matches here since last week and dominated in all the matches – convincingly winning the first three matches before settling for a draw against a stubborn German students national team.
However, the litmus test is on today when they play the Bundesliga side in this high profile encounter match which could open doors for some of the Mighty Warriors players.
Even the Zifa technical advisor Klaus Pagels, who facilitated this tour for the Cosafa champions to come and train in his hometown, believes a good performance by the visitors today would be a good opportunity for them to get recognition by clubs here.
Yesterday, the German took the Mighty Warriors through their paces as they prepared for their last match here, helping gaffer Rose Mugadza on what he has been observing since last week.
The Mighty Warriors, who last night watched an international friendly match between HSV Hamburger and Spanish side Valenica, are confident that they will play well against the Bundesliga side as they prepare for next month’s All-Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique.
Mighty Warriors vice-captain Talent Mandaza said the whole tour has been beneficial for the team and is hopeful will help them in Maputo next month.
“The training camp has been going on very well. We have got everything we need , all the equipment to use we even have lots of match balls here. We had been using the gym and really training hard. The camp has really helped us and the matches gave us competition we wanted.
“The teams we played here were better and we could not really win by bigger margins and unlike our matches against fellow African sides like South Africa and Tanzania they played fast football and play differently from what we are used.
“We are confident that this tour would really help us at the All-Africa Games and is everyone is happy about this tour and has been working hard.
“We have played South Africa and Tanzania before and we know what they are capable of doing and we are prepared for them because we want to progress to the next round in Maputo,” said Mandaza.
The Black Rhinos defensive midfielder has been struggling with a knee injury and hasn’t been featuring in all the matches.
Mighty Warriors defender Nobuhle Majika also hailed the tour and said the team has built a good relationship with all the clubs they have played.
All the clubs welcomed us warmly and we have built good relations off the pitch,” said Majika.
The Zimbabwe senior women’s soccer team has been getting donations from sponsors here as well as the host club.
In tonight’s match, the Mighty Warriors mentor is throwing into the fray her regular team with left back Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri and Mandaza not starting the match due to injury. Winger Nokuthula Ndlovu will take Mutyavaviri’s place while Emmaculate Msipa is likely to start in Mandaza’s defensive role.
The Mufakose Queens midfielder has been playing well deep in the midfield and at right back.
Upfront chief striker Rudo Neshamba, who has scored five goals, will partner giant forward Rufaro Machingura while captain Onai Chingawo will lead from the back.