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Sports Reporter
MIGHTY Warriors coach Rosemary Mugadza yesterday announced the final 20 players that are expected to leave for Maseru tomorrow for two international matches against Lesotho over the weekend.The Zimbabwe senior women’s national soccer team were scheduled to play against Botswana, Swaziland and the hosts in a four-nation tournament.
But Botswana and Swaziland pulled out at the last minute. The Mighty Warriors are using these two matches to kick-start their preparations for the 2014 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Zimbabwe have been drawn against neighbours Botswana in the preliminary round of the qualifiers next February. And if the Mighty Warriors progress, they will meet the winner between Zambia and Tanzania in the final qualifying round.
The Mighty Warriors last played at the continental showcase in 2004 and have been in camp for the past week. Yesterday, Mugadza named a team, which has a host of experienced players and a few others who graduated from the Under-20 national team.
Mugadza said the fitness levels of the players were improving. The team last played an international match against South Africa in June.
“They have improved a lot on fitness and have been working very hard during this training camp. These matches should give us a picture of where we are now.
“At least, we still have time to assess all the players we would want to use in the qualifiers. We also have the Unity Cup in December and it is another game which will help us to prepare before we intensify our preparations for the qualifiers in January.
“We have been working with a number of junior players and some of them are performing better while some of them still lack fitness,” said Mugadza.
The coach has retained veteran players such as Felistas Muzongondi, goalkeeper Chido Dzingirai and Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri.
The Young Mighty Warriors trio of Kudzanai Chiparaushe, Prisca Khumalo and Greater Bande have also made the squad.
Squad
Chido Dzingirai, Lindiwe Magwede, Portia Mukucha, Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri, Nobuhle Majika, Patience Mujuru, Kudzanai Chiparaushe, Melody Mususa, Prisca Khumalo, Felistas Muzongondi, Emmaculate Msipa, Marjoury Nyaumwe, Talent Mandaza, Mavis Chirandu, Sicelo Dube, Tafadzwa Tsunguro, Greater Bande, Erina Jeke, Violet Bepete, Rufaro Machingura.
Online Reporter