Veronica Gwaze, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE new look Mighty Warriors outfit might be enjoying a positive vibe in camp but they will have to wait a little longer to finally share the ambiance with their fans.
The Mighty Warriors are set to host Malawi in an empty National Sports on Tuesday in the reverse of the 2028 Olympic Qualifiers round two fixture.
The first leg will be played at Bingu tomorrow with kick off scheduled for 3PM.
Although there still is no official communication, sources from Zifa confirmed that Caf have ordered that the next Zifa organised home match be played behind closed doors.
The move follows chaotic incidents that happened at the National Sports Stadium on September 28, when the Warriors hosted DR Congo in the Afcon Qualifiers.
With the Mighty Warriors hosting Malawi on Tuesday, they become the first team to be affected by the sanctions.
Headed by a new technical team led by Stella Gotal, the Mighty Warriors this time attracted more foreign-based players and returnees.
Resultantly, a renewed chemistry has been brewing, but it has to remain confined to closed doors for longer.
“Everything feels new here, there is a different energy and even the excitement is on another level,” said Mighty Warriors captain Emmaculate Msipa.
“It is something we would have loved to share with our fans. It has been years since we last played in front of our people and we just wanted to give them something to smile about.”
Of the 24-member-squad that departed for Malawi, 10 ply their trade in foreign leagues with six of them chasing first national team caps.
Msipa said the new faces have been quick to settle in camp and share the unity both on and off the pitch.
“I am happy to be part of this squad and from the day I joined, the team has shown a good attitude, there is also so much respect for each other as players,” she said.
“The senior players are doing their best to make the newcomers feel welcome and part of the family so even as a captain, it makes my life easy.”
Having been part of the team that qualified for the 2016 Olympics, and went on to feature in the finals in Brazil, she knows what the other side looks like.
Msipa acknowledges that it was a campaign done under difficult conditions punctuated by poor camping conditions, neglect and unpaid allowances.
But now, life is different.
“Back then, life was tough and we had to do it for passion, hoping that one day someone would notice the talent and drive we had as players,” she said.
“There was no luxury or remuneration to talk of, but things have changed and now you step on the pitch highly motivated and eager to do so much.
“Some of us qualified for the Olympics on empty stomachs and sheer willpower but as I said, the situation has changed for the better,” said Msipa.
The captain believes Zimbabwe have what it takes to make it past the Malawian Scorchers.
As familiar Southern African (Cosafa) rivals, matches between Malawi and Zimbabwe carry regional bragging rights and a lot of competitive familiarity.
With the Mighty Warriors squad featuring returnees and “new” diaspora talent looking to prove themselves on the international stage, this time, they could be unstoppable.
“We have an increased number of internationals so this time it’s a good balance that will surely give us a unique flair and some unpredictability,” added Msipa.
“However, we know that it’s not going to be an easy game, it will be tough, in fact it has always been even in the past when we played them.
“They are also coming from a good Wafcon outing but we are just focusing on ourselves to work as a unit and give our maximum.”
