adminSimba Dube and Ngqwele Dube Sports Reporters
THE Mighty Warriors technical team is free to call up any player for national duty irrespective of which league they play in, Zifa has said. Zifa spokesman Xolisani Gwesela said they will not interfere with coaches’ work and would remain focused on the administrative part of the game. “A coach can choose whoever they want from whichever part of the country for national team duty as long as they feel they (players) are able and will give them the results they want. We are not involved in the technical aspect of the game but we are administrators.
“However, the Zifa board clearly made a resolution that there should only be one bona fide women football structure and those who create counterfeit leagues will be dealt with in terms of football statutes,” said Gwesela.
However, in an earlier interview Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze said the association had advised the Mighty Warriors’ technical team to “only” select players from the Zifa recognised Elizabeth Langa-run league.
“Selection process is up to the team’s technical department and they are aware that players to be called up should be from the league affiliated to the national football mother board,” said Mashingaidze.
Suspended Zimbabwe Women Football chairperson Miriam Sibanda has defied Zifa and continues to run her own version of the “Super League” while acting chairperson, Langa has also initiated another Super League.
Zimbabwe’s women national team faces Ivory Coast in the 2016 Rio Olympics second round qualifier away from home next week.
Rosemary Mugadza the Mighty Warriors coach said there was inadequate time to work on player combinations hence her retaining the bulk of players from the first round of the qualifiers. However, there are seven new faces.
“We have maintained three quarters of the team that played Zambia because of the little time we have,” said Mugadza.
In the previous round, the Mighty Warriors edged Zambia on away goals rule after the teams had finished a two legged qualifier on a 2-all aggregate.
The return leg will be played in two weeks time with the winner proceeding to the third round of the qualifiers.
A win for the Mighty Warriors against World Cup finalists will be the first-time victory against a West African side for the senior women’s team.
Zimbabwe Team
Goalkeepers: Chido P Dzingirai (Flame Lily), Process Chatsamwa (Black Rhinos), Manyara Mandara (Mwenezana)
Defenders: Patience Mujuru (Black Rhinos), Nobuhle Majika (Inline), Shiela Makoto (Blue Swallows), Lynette Mutokuto (Black Rhinos), Viola Ndhlovu (Black Rhinos), Chido Muhara (Mufakose), Moleen Murandu (Auckland), Talent I Mandaza (Black Rhinos).
Midfielders: Berita Kabwe (Tenax), Mavis Chirandu (Weerams), Felistas Muzongodi (Mwenezana), Rejoice Kapfumvuti (Inline), Emmaculate Msipa (Black Rhinos), Marjory Nyaumwe (Flame Lily), Samkeliswe Zulu (Flame Lily), Favourate Nhema (Mwenezana).
Strikers: Maud Mafurutse (Faith Drive), Rudo Neshamba (Weerams), Erina R Jeke (Flame Lily), Cathrine Chimutanda (Mwenezana), Rutendo Makore (Black Rhinos), Eunice Chibanda (Black Rhinos).
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