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Ngqwele Dube, Sport Correspondent
MIGHTY Warriors coach, Shadreck Mlauzi says they are ready to face any of the other seven teams that qualified for the Africa Women Cup of Nations, whose draw takes place this afternoon in Cameroon.
The draw for the 10 Women’s Afcon takes place at the Palais Polyvalent des Sports Complex in Yaounde at 4pm. Mlauzi pointed out that at this stage of the tournament one cannot approach it with trepidation as they all followed the same qualification route.
“Some of the teams might have a better track record than us but it was no fluke that we made it to that stage and we have to show that our presence was not by mistake but because our game has improved for the best.
“We are ready to face any team we are drawn against on Sunday. We learnt that Cameroon (hosts) and Nigeria (defending champions) have been put in separate groups but whichever group we are in, we are going there to compete,” he said.
According to Caf, for the purposes of the draw, hosts Cameroon were seeded in position A1 and defending champions Nigeria were seeded in position B1 while Ghana and South Africa will be seeded in the second level in Pot 1 “for having the best results in the last three editions of Women’s Afcon”.
The four remaining teams Egypt, Kenya, Mali and Zimbabwe have been seeded in a third level in Pot 2.
The first team to be drawn would be placed in Group A and the second in Group B.
Meanwhile, the Mighty Warriors troop into camp today as they kick off their preparations for the tournament with a friendly match against Egypt in Harare. While welcoming the preparatory match, Mlauzi said it was unfortunate they have only one day as a team before playing the game. It was uncertain if they would remain in camp after the match.
“We are using this match to assess the players and tactical options that we might have but giving us one day in training is not the ideal situation but look friendlies are rare in this part of the world so we have to take the opportunity with both hands,” he said.
With skipper Felistas Muzongondi injured, vice-captain Nobuhle Majika will take over the armband although Mlauzi said change might be made when the tournament starts.
The Mighty Warriors’ sick bay also has strikers, Rudo Neshamba, Samukelisiwe Zulu, defender, Lynette Mutotuto and midfielder, Erina Jeke who have all been left out of the squad to face Egypt.
The biannual Women Afcon will be played in Cameroon from 19 November to 3 December 2016.
Mighty Warriors Squad
Goalkeepers
Lindiwe Magwede (Cyclone Stars), Chido Dzingirai (Flame Lily), Manyara Mandara (Mwenezana), Deliwe Makaha (Faith Drive)
Defenders
Danai Bhobho (Mwenezana), Nobuhle Majika (Inline Academy), Nobukhosi Ncube (New Orleans), Sarudzai Chikoore (Conduit), Lince Mpaya (Mufakose), Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri (Mufakose), Sheila Makoto (Blue Swallows), Patience Mujuru (Black Rhinos)
Midfielders
Emmaculate Msipa (Black Rhinos), Mavis Chirandu (Weerams), Greater Bande (Cyclone Stars), Marjory Nyaumwe (Flame Lily), Viola Ndlovu (Black Rhinos), Palesa Chipendo, Violet Bepete (Black Rhinos), Talent Mandaza (Black Rhinos) Moddy Muwoni
Strikers
Rutendo Makore (Black Rhinos), Berita Kabwe (Flame Lily), Sibonginkosi Nleya (Weerams), Maudi Mapfuruse (Faith Drive), Tonderai Masango (lnline Academy), Kudakwashe Basopo (Black Rhinos).
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