Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze in POLOKWANE
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Mighty Warriors walk into the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium this afternoon knowing the story of their tournament could begin to write itself within ninety minutes.
Vice captain Christabel Katona is demanding bravery and calm heads when Zimbabwe face Eswatini.
Kick-off is at noon.
Even though it is the first fixture, there is a clear sense that this is no gentle entry into the competition for a Zimbabwe side desperate to erase memories of last year’s early exit.
The tournament burst into life yesterday when Angola brushed aside Lesotho 3-0 and hosts South Africa beat Malawi 2-0.
Katona says the mood in camp has been good and the players were focused.
“We are ready and, even in training yesterday, it was visible that all of us are prepared, we want to enjoy the game and collect points,” she said.
Zimbabwe hold a slight edge in recent meetings with three wins, two draws and one defeat from the last six encounters, yet the senior players have shut the door on any comfort that might come from history.
Head coach Sithethelelwe Sibanda steps into her own early test as she tries to blend experienced heads with a crop of young players still adjusting to the demands of this stage, turning the match into a measure of character as much as tactical discipline.
“We are all aware that we have often overpowered Eswatini but we are not looking at all that because obviously they are out to rewrite that history,” said Katona.
“All we need to do is play our game, collect points and push for making it past group stages, a statement is what we want to make but without putting ourselves under a lot of pressure.
“We now have a lot of new and young players, it is our role to motivate them and ensure that we are on the same level psychologically if we are to make it.”
