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ZIFA spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela has revealed that they are still to raise funds to cater for the Mighty Warriors’ trip to Cote d’lvoire for their first leg encounter in the Olympic Games qualifiers third round this weekend.
The game is slated for Sunday at Robert Champroux, Abidjan, in Cote d’Ivoire.
Gwesela yesterday said they have not yet come up with travelling dates for the team because of financial challenges.
“We are not yet sure (when they are leaving), probably tomorrow (today) we will know. As you are aware we are broke, we are appealing to various companies and the government to assist the girl child.
“We are broke and when we say we are broke we mean it. We presented our budgets to the government and we continue submitting supplementary budgets.
As ZIFA we have no capacity to fund the national teams.
“The trend across the world is that the government fund national teams. We need government and corporate support.
This is what we have been saying that we do not have money.
“We are still running around to raise the necessary funds and we are hoping someone will come on board. Women football can only grow when the government has put in resources,” said Gwesela.
Gwesela said they were looking to raise about $34 000 for the trip.
In their previous encounters, the Mighty Warriors were rescued by Prophet Walter Magaya’s PHD Ministries.
The team got into camp on Saturday and has been training under the guidance of coach Rosemary Mugadza assisted by Mebelo Njekwa.
“Everybody is in camp and we started training yesterday (Sunday). Our focus is mainly tactical.
We are at an advantage because the league has been running so most of the players have been active unlike when we played Ghana when the league was not running and our training sessions were mainly physical.
“We have to come with something from Abidjan so that we are at an advantage when they come here,” said Njekwa.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Chido Dzingirai (Flame Lily), Process Chatsamwa (Black Rhinos), Manyara Mandara (Mwenezana)
Defenders: Patience Mujuru (Black Rhinos), Nobuhle Majika (Inline Academy), Sheila 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 Academy), Emmaculate Msipa (Black Rhinos), Marjory Nyaumwe (Flame Lily), Samkelisiwe Zulu (Flame Lily), Favourate Nhema (Mwenezana)
Strikers: Maud Mafurutse (Faith Drive), Rudo Neshamba (Weerams), Erina Jeke (Flame Lily), Catherine Chimutanda (Mwenezana), Rutendo Makore (Black Rhinos), Eunice Chibanda (Black Rhinos)
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