Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze in Polokwane, South Africa
THE Mighty Warriors arrive at this year’s Cosafa Cup carrying expectation, but also the weight of a rebuilding project still in its early stages, with a young squad stepping into a demanding group and a long term plan preparing for its first real test once the tournament begins.
Zimbabwe touched down in South Africa yesterday fully aware that the next few days will offer an early measure of where the senior women’s national team is headed as they attempt to fight their way back onto the continental stage.
Head coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda has blended fresh talent with a core of experienced players as she works to assemble a side she believes can push for qualification to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and the Olympic Games within the next three years — a process she acknowledges will require patience as well as results.
The tournament gives her an important opportunity to assess how far the team has progressed since the rebuilding phase began late last year.
“We are looking to build a strong project that can take us into the future and that is why we brought in young players in December. This tournament will help us see the progress we have made and how much more work still needs to be done so that we are ready. I am happy that we arrived safely. We allowed the girls to rest and today we will train and prepare for tomorrow,” said Sibanda.
Zimbabwe have been drawn in a tough Group B, opening against Eswatini before facing tournament favourites Zambia and Botswana — a sequence that will test both the squad’s depth and its mental resilience.
A place in the semi-finals will require either winning the group or finishing among the strongest runners up, demanding consistency across all three matches at a time the team is still searching for rhythm and cohesion.
After exiting at the group stage in the previous edition, Sibanda wants to see clear evidence of progress and believes the current squad has the appetite to go deeper this time.
“So far, things have been going well and our preparations were solid. As a coach, I have seen improvements, which show we are building something positive.
“A number of players are new and this is their first major tournament, so while we want results, we also need patience as they grow into the team. This will help us see if we are moving in the right direction with our plan to build a team that can compete on the continent, so we are taking it step by step,” she said.
Zimbabwe won the COSAFA title in 2011 – a generation that went on to qualify for the Olympic Games in Brazil five years later – and the team has twice finished runners up after losing in the final to South Africa.
Sibanda, a member of that victorious 2011 side, now finds herself guiding a new generation, hoping to spark another cycle capable of returning the Mighty Warriors to serious continental contention.
Despite last year’s early exit, belief within the current squad remains strong.
“We believe in ourselves and we know we can give every opponent a tough match. The girls are ready and that belief can take us a long way,” she said.
During the two week camp in Harare, the emphasis was on improving fitness levels and sharpening mental toughness so the players can cope with the demands of fast paced tournament football.
For the Mighty Warriors, this year’s COSAFA Cup represents more than just another regional appearance. It marks the beginning of a rebuilding journey they hope will restore their place among Africa’s competitive sides.
