adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
THE Mighty Warriors trooped into camp yesterday at a Harare Lodge to kick-start their preparations for their final 2016 Olympic Games qualifier against Cameroon. Zimbabwe will begin their quest for success to qualify for the Games away in Yaoundé, Cameroon on October 3 at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo. The return leg is pencilled for the weekend of October 16 to 18 at Rufaro.
New Mighty Warriors coach, Shadreck Mlauzi said they were expecting all players to be in camp by the end of the day yesterday.
“We’ve just trickled into camp today (yesterday). We’ve assembled a team of 32 players and at the moment we’ve around 20 players. We were hoping to hit the ground today but unfortunately most of the grounds are booked,” said Mlauzi.
As has become the norm, the senior women side has less than a week to prepare for the game and looking at the task at hand they will have to up their game if they are hoping to book a place at the Olympics Game in Rio de Janeiro.
However, Mlauzi said he has worked with some of the players before and they are going to utilise the time they have to ensure the team is ready for Cameroon.
“This isn’t entirely my first time to work with the players. I’ve worked with some of them at Under-20 level, so really they know what I expect from them.
“Time in football is never enough but we’ll try to make the most of what we have. The game at this level is about tactics and right from day one we’re going to focus on tactics and the mental side,” said Mlauzi.
Zimbabwe qualified for the last round in dramatic fashion after their opponents Cote d’Ivoire withdrew from the qualifiers in the third round.
The Ivorians were awarded the first leg after Zimbabwe failed to travel for the game in July and the Confederation of African Football then withdrew Zimbabwe from the fixture programme and installed Cameroon to play Cote d’Ivoire after the forfeited game in July.
However, CAF’s decision was overturned by Fifa, who rescheduled the match initially set for August 2 to August 23 before Cote d’Ivoire withdrew.
Two countries from these qualifiers will progress to next year’s Olympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The other match is between Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Chido Dzingirai, Lindiwe Magwede, Vanesa Lunga.
Defenders: Nobuhle Majika, Sheila Makoto, Faith Chasi, Mercy Marowa, Hezel Mwendazviuya, Chido Muhara, Priviledge Mushonga, Sarudzai Chikoore, Amanda Five.
Midfielders: Rejoice Kamupvumvuti, Aldglade Bhamu, Samkelisiwe Zulu, Peacemore Kenende, Greater Bhande, Sifundile Moyo, Felistas Muzongondi, Viola Ndlovu, Emmaculate Msipa.
Strikers: Erina Jeke, Colleta Jesunau, Rutendo Makore, Rudo Neshamba, Pamela Bvochora, Sibonginkozi Nleya.
derick.khumalo