adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
MIGHTY Warriors coach Shadreck Mlauzi has named a 30-member squad as the senior women’s team prepares to kick-start their training camp in Bulawayo on Monday.
With ZIFA partner Wicknell Chivayo having availed funds for the Mighty Warriors camp and bought a car for Mlauzi, it had been left to the association’s secretariat to lay the groundwork for the training camp.
Chivayo’s gesture won the Harare businessman the praise of the Zimbabwe Soccer Coaches Union, with their secretary-general Newsome Mutema last night describing the move to buy Mlauzi a vehicle as a milestone in the women’s game.
“We applaud the decision by the sponsor to buy a car for the Women’s (team) coach. We are happy with this development where the Mighty Warriors are also receiving the kind of support that was normally reserved for the men’s team only . . . this has never happened before.
“As SCUZ we welcome the move by ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa and his executive to level the playing field and also uplift the girl child.
“We hope now that they have given the coach a car they will also support the plan he has for his preparations and also reward him with a contract,’’ Mutema said.
With the delays that had characterised their camp now behind them, Mlauzi wasted no time in naming the side that will launch a double assault on both the Olympics and the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations qualifiers that will precede the summer Games.
Zimbabwe lock horns with Tanzania in the Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifiers with the Mighty Warriors travelling away for the first leg on March 4-6.
ZIFA technical director, Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe, yesterday said the team would be camping in Bulawayo starting from Monday until February 29 when they will transfer to Harare.
“We are working on logistics for the team to go into camp on Monday in Bulawayo. And there is a friendly match lined up for the 20th of February. Botswana have approached us, they want to play us on the 20th of February.
“After that they will then come to Harare on 29 February and then they leave for Tanzania, latest on the 2nd of March.
“We are using the African qualifiers as part of preparations for the Olympic Games,” said Jongwe.
Jongwe said there are a number of activities lined up for the team as they expect to kick-start preparations to the Olympic Games.
“There are a number of activities lined up for the team even if we were not playing the AFCON qualifiers, which also include a camp in Europe.
“We have requested for a friendly against New Zealand on our way to Brazil so I think if we up our preparations now as we are doing starting Monday it will be good for the team.
“We are still finalising on the friendly match against New Zealand but I think there won’t be any challenge to go and play New Zealand.
“ZOC and ZIFA have pledged to also support the plan where the team has a two-week camp in Europe and the girls should be ready for the Olympic Games,” said Jongwe.
Despite the local league being on a break, Jongwe is confident the Mighty Warriors will do well.
“Most of the girls’ clubs have begun pre-season training and probably will have an accelerated training when they are in camp together where it will be a bit intensive. They should be in a position to take on Tanzania. We are confident the girls will prevail in Tanzania,” said Jongwe.
Mlauzi said their emphasis will be on fitness since the players were inactive with the majority having last played last October.
“Mostly we are going to service the fitness component, that’s the major area we are going to work on.
“The emphasis really is on us working on the fitness. So we will try to make sure that for us we take it as if we are starting together. We will work flat out to improve the fitness of the girls. We will also work on strength.
“We are starting to build towards our medium term plan so we really need to address our fitness in mind with the game against Tanzania,” said Mlauzi.
Mighty Warriors squad:
Goalkeepers: Chido Dzingirai (Flame Lily), Lindiwe Magwede (Cyclone Stars), Vanessa Lunga (Black Rhinos).
Defenders: Nobuhle Majika (Inline Academy), Sheila Makoto (Blue Swallows), Eunice Chibanda, Lynett Mutokuto, Daisy Kaitano Patience Mujuru, Rufaro Machingura (all Black Rhinos), Nobukhosi Ncube, Prisca Khumalo (New Orleans), Sarudzai Chikowore (Conduit).
Midfielders: Emmaculate Msipa, Talent Mandaza, Viola Ndlovu (all Black Rhinos), Rejoice Kapfumvuti, Sifundile Moyo (Inline Academy), Felistas Muzongondi (Mwenezana), Marjory Nyaumwe (Flame Lily), Greater Bhande (Cyclone Stars), Aldiglade Bhamu (Mufakose), Mavis Chirandu (Weerams), Nomazulu Tshuma (Hwange).
Strikers: Rudo Neshamba (Weerams), Erina Jeke, Samkelisiwe Zulu (all Flame Lily), Tonderai Masango, Priviledge Mupeti (all Inline Academy), Sibonginkosi Nleya (Chapungu)
Online Reporter