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wants to be a powerhouse on the continent.
The Mighty Warriors are expected to leave today for Uruguay where they will feature in three international matches against the host nation and two other teams in Maldonado.
The team leaves this afternoon, via Johannesburg, and will connect from OR Tambo International Airport in the evening to Sao Paulo, Brazil, arriving shortly before midnight.
They will then connect to Uruguay the following morning.
Yesterday, the skipper rallied the team to stand up and be counted as they continue to benefit from playing better opposition having in the past competed against European opposition in Germany and the Arabs in Egypt.
Zimbabwe are the Cosafa champions and are looking to defend their title this October when the tournament gets underway in Namibia.
The Mighty Warriors and their neighbours South Africa are taking women’s football in the region to a higher level and currently Banyana Banyana are in Paralimni, where they are set to take part in the 12-Nations Cyprus Women’s Cup.
The tournament which starts next week feature teams such as Canada, England, Italy and Netherlands.
South Africa reached the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations last year but lost to the hosts Equatorial Guinea while Zimbabwe were denied a place at the Afcon by record champions Nigeria after they were booted out in the qualifiers.
“All the players are excited to be going to Uruguay and play matches there where they would be exposed to better opponents.
“We have many matches coming up this year and we want to be prepared for these games.
“This trip will help us in our preparations. We are working hard and trying our best because it is high time we qualify for the World Cup as we have been getting all the support.
“Playing against teams like Uruguay will also give us confidence so that we can be able to face any opposition at any level,” said Chingawo.
Zimbabwe will play their opening match against Uruguay on Tuesday and are also expected to be hosted by the town officials for some tours around. Uruguay Football Association Technical Director, Daniel Banales, wrote to Zifa this week advising them of their itinerary.
“The City’s name where the games will be played is Maldonado near Punta del Este. a beautiful resort. According to the itinerary that l received, you are reaching Carrasco airport in different schedules, therefore bear in mind that we should wait for everyone to move to Maldonado which is 110 km from the airport.
“The Government of Maldonado will offer you a three-hour city tour on Wednesday.
“An ethnic group will offer a tour round the city of Montevedio, capital of Uruguay, which is only 130 km from Maldonado,” wrote Banales.
Zimbabwe Women’’s Soccer League chairperson, Mavis Gumbo, is the head of the delegation for the 28-member delegation that will return home on March 11.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Onai Chingawo, Chido Dzingirai, Portia Mukucha.
Defenders: Eunice Chibanda, Danai Bhobho, Melody Musasa, Patience Mujuru, Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri,
Midfielders: Nokuthula Ndlovu, Emma Msipa, Mavis Chirandu, Marjoury Nyaumwe, Talent Mandaza, Felistas Muzongondi.
Strikers: Rutendo Makore, Violet Bepete, Kuda Basopo. Erina Jeke.
Technical team: Charity Munemo(team manager), Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe (technical advisor), Rose Mugadza(head coach), Yohanne Chikaola(assistant coach), Ndega Matsika (goalkeepers coach), Gerald Maguranyanga (fitness Trainer), Margarete Maulana(doctor) Nonhahla Mukumbuzi(physiotherapist).
Online Reporter