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FOLLOWING the COSAFA Women’s Championship draw on Wednesday, Mighty Warriors coach Sithethelwe Sibanda says they need to be at their best to make a big impression in South Africa from September 12 to 22.
The tournament will see 12 countries – Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana, Madagascar, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Namibia, guest nations Cameroon and Uganda – competing for the ultimate prize.
Zimbabwe were drawn into Group C together with Namibia, Swaziland and Uganda. “It’s a very tricky draw, just like the other groups. Namibia are a very good team. This is a new game, it’s not about history but about how prepared and how we will perform in the match.
“The Uganda game is a very tricky assignment, they are fresh from CECAFA (Women Challenge Cup), the team cohesion is still there, we need to be at our best,” said Sibanda. Group A is made up of South Africa, Botswana, Madagascar and Malawi while Group B consists of Zambia, Cameroon, Lesotho and Mozambique.
Sibanda named a 30-member squad, retaining most of the senior players and included fringe players such as Rumbidzai Zhoya and Concilia Madotsa, who were part of the team that played Mozambique in a friendly two weeks ago.
“At the end of the day we just have to try and work with the time that we have and stay positive,” said Sibanda.
The top teams from the three groups and the best placed runners-up advance to the semi-finals. Zimbabwe have, over the years, proved to be one of the top teams at the regional tournament, reaching four finals. They claimed their maiden title in 2011. It has been mostly Zimbabwe and South Africa facing off in the final.
However, the presence of Cameroon at the tournament is likely to present a different dimension given their status as one of the powerhouses on the continent.
“West African countries possess talent as shown by them having foreign-based talent, so it’s a tricky tournament.
‘‘We just need to be positive and give it our best and let God lead the rest,” said Sibanda. The Mighty Warriors are expected to leave for South on September 10.”
Online Reporter