adminStadium on Saturday.
The South Africans routed Mozambique 5-0 in Nelspruit over the weekend while the Mighty Warriors beat Zambia 3-1 a week ago in another friendly match.
The coach has dropped two strikers, Rufaro Machingura and Kuda Basopo, from the team which played against Zambia a week ago.
The duo of Black Rhinos Queens Violet Bepete and Inline Academy Rhodha Jongondi have been drafted into the team which is set to leave this morning by road.
The team has been in camp since last Wednesday training with 24 players but yesterday the gaffer trimmed the players to 18.
Other players who have been dropped are Cyclone goalkeeper Lindiwe Magwede, Mitchel Vambe, Vimbai Mharidzi and Talent Mhepo.
Yesterday, team manager, Charity Munemo, said the technical department was trying a number of players in these friendly matches.
“We hope we will win another friendly match after we managed to beat Zambia. These matches are very important to us as they will improve our Fifa rankings.
“We know South Africa played very well at the weekend but every game is a new game. We are also prepared for the match.
“We are preparing for the Cosafa Championship and we want to defend our title so these friendly matches are really important to us.
“The coaches are trying to work with many players and have been trying a number of new faces at training,” said Munemo.
The stakes are always high when Zimbabwe play South Africa.
Whenever the two teams meet fireworks are always expected.
Last year in October, the neighbours played two international friendly matches in Johannesburg and Banyana Banyana won the first match 1-0, before the two teams settled for a 1-1 draw in the other encounter.
Zimbabwe have managed to beat South Africa twice since the revival of the Mighty Warriors’ brand.
The first victory came in the Cosafa Championship final in 2011 at Rufaro, where the hosts beat Banyana 1-0 to win the regional tournament for the first time.
The Mighty Warriors went on to beat Banyana 3-0 the same year in the Unity Day Challenge Cup at Rufaro.
Team
Chido Dzingirai, Portia Mukucha, Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri, Nobuhle Majika, Danai Bhobho, Melody Musasa, Talent Mandaza, Emma Msipa, Felistas Muzongondi, Rutendo Makore, Rudo Neshamba, Marjoury Nyaumwe, Nokuthula Ndlovu, Eunice Chibanda, Violet Bepete, Erina Jeke, Mavis Chirandu, Rhodha Jongondi.
Online Reporter