Chronicle Editor
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
AFTER the trauma of watching the Warriors dramatically crushing out of the Fifa World Cup qualifiers, fans were left wondering what sin they had committed against the football gods to endure such constant disappointment.
All their hopes crumbled right before them and there seemed no way out of the doldrums for local football.
However, it seems there is still a silver lining for the nation, as doors to the football glory arena haven’t been completely shut.
The Mighty Warriors have again risen to the occasion by booking a ticket to the final qualifying round of the Caf Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals against Botswana.
Should they overcome this hurdle, hey will join Africa’s other top women’s football teams at the finals in Morocco in July next year.
Mighty Warriors’ coach Sithethelelwe ‘Kwinji 15’ Sibanda’s lasses chocked up a 6-1 aggregate win over Eswatini after a 3-1 home win in the first-leg was followed by a well-deserved 3-0 victory in the return leg.
Botswana sailed through to the final qualifier after a 7-1 aggregate win over Angola.
Those crucial final encounters are set for February next year.
It might look as if there is enough time, but knowing Zifa, they may fold their arms and only start running around with a few weeks to go.
Now is the time to start preparing for Botswana, administratively and even tactically.
Resource mobilisation should start now while on her part Sibanda should draw up her own preparatory plan, which may even include visiting Botswana to watch some of their league games.
Everything possible must be done to make sure the Mighty Warriors are fully prepared for the Botswana game and make it to the continental finals where the top four teams automatically qualify for the prestigious 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup finals in New Zealand and Australia.
Two more teams will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs with a chance of also qualifying for the World Cup.
If all this does not instill the zeal to pour resources and have proper and adequate preparations, then certainly nothing will.
The girls should be motivated, they should have that extra energy to go the extra mile, not only to qualify for the Afcon finals but to book a ticket for the World Cup finals.
The ball is right in Zifa’s court because the attitude it adopts will decide the women’s national team’s destiny.
Our girls have shown us that it’s a doable assignment and it’s now up to Zifa to show faith in their ability.
Focus maybe on the men’ Afcon finals in Cameroon next year, but that should not be just cause to abandon the Mighty Warriors.
Zifa should set up a special committee to oversee the Mighty Warriors’ preparations by making sure all their needs are met.
It’s unfortunate that all national teams fall under Zifa yet we have no women in national football leadership.
They are only remembered during ceremonies like pre-match greetings yet by right they should be solely in charge of all issues to do with women’s football in the country with the men at Zifa playing an oversight role.
So, while we are still celebrating our qualification to the final round, we must remain fully aware that Botswana are no walkovers, hence the need to start preparations now.
Online Reporter