Msipa impressed by Mighty Warriors revival

EMMACULATE MSIPA has been handed back the Mighty Warriors armband and will be looking to lead the national women football to a podium finish when the Four-Nations-Tournament gets underway tomorrow.

Zimbabwe play Lesotho in the tournament’s first semifinal at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium (kickoff 12:30 pm) while hosts Zambia play Kenya in the second semi-final later on the same day.

Victory for Zimbabwe will have them proceed into the finals scheduled for June 9 at the same venue while a defeat will have them play for third place against losers of the second semi.

And Msipa who returns to national duty for the first time in years is buoyant, citing that she has noted a lot of changes in the women’s camp since she joined them earlier in the week.

“It feels good to be back and I am delighted to be part of the squad because it has been a longtime since I last represented my country,” she said.

“It feels like a whole new experience seeing the new faces, youngsters who are so loving and welcoming. You know it is really a breath of fresh air and it has been so easy to fit in.

“The camp is full of love, there is good energy, togetherness and everything that makes a perfect home so since our arrival, they have made it easy for us to feel that we are part of them.”

The Israel-based midfielder said the new look Mighty Warriors outfit are bound by unity and have what it takes to make a huge statement on the international stage.

She praised the team’s spirit, especially the greenhorns whom she saluted for showing a huge hunger in the game.
Their desire, she said complemented by positive changes within the women’s game in Zimbabwe can help the Mighty Warriors reclaim their position as a powerhouse on the international stage.

“I am happy that now a lot has changed for the women’s national team and getting an opportunity to go and play such tournaments as Four-Nations and other friendlies is a huge statement of change and commitment from the authorities,” she said.

“Back in the day we barely got such opportunities and now that such chances have come, complemented by the talent in camp I feel that Zimbabwe have the potential to go far.

“I believe that we have what it takes to even make it to the Olympics once again, and looking at our route (qualifiers), if we play our cards right we can make it.”

Zimbabwe are scheduled to play Malawi back to back in the second round of the 2028 LA Olympic Qualifiers after being handed a bye in the first round.

Msipa, one of the remnants of the 2016 crew that left a lasting impression at the Olympics in Brazil, is optimistic of a second dance.

“Preparations for such tournaments have been improved and this Four-Nations serves as the first platform for us,” Msipa said.

“The tournament will help us weigh where exactly we stand as a team, and the areas that we need to work on before we face Malawi so it means that we have to treat this tournament seriously.

“Every game should give us positives that we will use in the qualifiers because the teams that they are going to face will be well prepared . . . they are teams with professionals.