Mighty Warriors star fades

Darlington Gatsi

IN 2016, the Mighty Warriors were the toast of the country after they clinched a ticket to represent Africa at the Rio Olympics.

Six years later, their star is fading.

They were beaten by Botswana in the final battle for a place at the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations.

Former Mighty Warriors coach, Rosemary Mugadza, said the country missed a great opportunity to grow the game by failing to capitalise on the Olympics success story.

“After the Olympics, we stood a better chance to grow and I am sure by now we could be participating at AWCON.

“Finding funding was easier soon after and we never capitalized on what we achieved.

“We went to sleep,” said Mugadza.

The Mighty Warriors are now lagging behind their neighbours Zambia, South Africa and Botswana.

“I think what went wrong is all about the empty promises to women’s football.

“After the Olympics, everyone lost hope and we also lost some players due to this.

“Families/guardians discourage girls from playing football because they saw that even if you achieve, you will simply not be recognised.

“Women’s football is a small entity and there are certain coaches who can drive women’s sport to greater heights but they are not given respect so it turns out to be not a lucrative sport,” said Rosemary Mugadza.

Felistas Muzongondi, who led the Mighty Warriors at the 2016 Rio Olympics, echoed Mugadza’s sentiments.

“Up to this day, we have not received anything concrete regarding the stands we were promised in 2016.

“There is nothing that has been said.

“I do not know what will happen but the way the girl child is treated I really do not know.”