Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo in NDOLA, Zambia
THE Mighty Warriors have spoken repeatedly about rebuilding, developing a new generation and restoring Zimbabwe’s standing in women’s football.
Tonight, at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, they have an opportunity to provide the strongest evidence yet that those ambitions are beginning to take shape.
Zimbabwe face old rivals Zambia in the final of the Four Nations Women’s Championship, with coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda insisting her side possess the spirit, belief and quality to upset the hosts and end a sequence of painful defeats against the Copper Queens.
Kick-off is at 6pm.
For the Mighty Warriors, this final is about far more than lifting a trophy. It is a chance to measure the progress of a rebuilding side against one of Africa’s emerging powers.
Zambia have dominated recent meetings between the two nations and beat Zimbabwe 3-1 in the final of the same tournament in Malawi last December. The Copper Queens also arrive in this contest carrying the confidence of a team preparing for next month’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, where they will be among the continent’s strongest contenders.
On paper, the hosts remain favourites.
They boast a squad packed with internationally based stars and will enjoy the backing of what is expected to be a capacity crowd. Yet the Mighty Warriors have travelled to Ndola believing the gap between the two teams is not as wide as recent results might suggest.
Zimbabwe’s confidence has been boosted by a convincing 3-1 victory over Lesotho in the semi-finals, while Zambia were pushed all the way by Kenya and only reached the final after a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw.
Sibanda believes her players have shown enough character and growth to challenge their more fancied opponents.
“I think we last beat Zambia some years ago, maybe in 2019. Of late, they have been dominating us but we can’t continue on that trajectory,” said Sibanda.
“I know this final won’t be easy. Zambia are preparing for the WAFCON finals and they would want a statement win that will lift their confidence going to Morocco.
“As such, the crowd, which will be their 12th man, will also turn out for them.
“But I think we have enough depth and quality in our team. The mood the girls are in right now is so encouraging.
“They have the heart and enough motivation to beat Zambia.
“We came here, all the way from Zimbabwe, for only one thing, to win.
“It doesn’t really matter who we play against. What matters is that we win.
“Of course this is going to be one of the most difficult finals we would have to play but we are prepared for it.
“Last December we played this same final against Zambia in Malawi and we lost. We can’t always be losing. We will put in all the fight that we have.
“We will leave everything on the pitch. If we are to lose, we have to lose after putting up a fight. It’s going to be difficult but not only for us. It will be difficult for both Zambia and Zimbabwe.”
The match also represents a significant test for a Zimbabwe side blending experienced campaigners with a crop of promising youngsters eager to establish themselves on the international stage.
Captain Emmaculate Msipa believes the team’s youthful energy could prove decisive.
“I do have a lot of confidence in our team,” she said.
“You see we have a lot of youngsters who we are trying to guide through the process.
“They have the energy and the quality to navigate through difficult situations.
“We have been telling them to focus and the response has been very positive.
“They know this is the platform for them to showcase what they can do. We have told them this can be the chance for them to be scouted and pursue their dreams.
“We are here to make our nation proud. We can only do that by putting in the maximum effort that we can.
“I don’t think Zambia are impossible to beat. They can be beaten with tact and industry, which we will bring in full force.
“We know they will be going to WAFCON and we are rebuilding. This game is the ideal way to gauge ourselves, but we are ready for the final.”
While Zimbabwe are drawing confidence from their semi-final display, Zambia have also spent the week studying their opponents.
Copper Queens coach Nora Häuptle expects a difficult contest despite her team’s status as favourites, while forward Prisca Chilufya acknowledged the importance of delivering a stronger performance than the one that saw Zambia struggle past Kenya.
“I can say we are ready for Zimbabwe,” said Chilufya.
“We have a duty to win the match after labouring our way against Kenya.”
For Zimbabwe, however, this final offers something bigger than silverware.
It is a chance to show that the Mighty Warriors are no longer content with merely competing against the region’s best. A positive result tonight would signal that the rebuilding process is gathering momentum. Defeat would not erase the progress already made, but victory would send a powerful message that the Mighty Warriors are beginning to close the gap on the Southern African powerhouse that has long stood in their way.
