adminMzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO women’s soccer giants Inline Academy are bubbling with confidence ahead of their NetOne Charity Shield semi-final encounter against Cyclone Stars at White City Stadium on Saturday.
The NetOne Charity Shield semi-finals were put on hold due to the elections which were held last week.
In an interview yesterday, newly elected Zimbabwe Women’s Soccer League (ZWSL) chairperson Miriam Sibanda confirmed that the teams will be back in action this weekend.
“Yes, I can confirm that the NetOne Charity Shield will be played this weekend and I am happy to say that the games are going ahead this wekend,” she said.
Inline Academy, Cyclone Stars, Black Rhinos and Mufakose Queens are the four remaining teams in the competition.
Inline booked their place in the semi-finals after thumping Mazowe side Auckaland 5-3.
Team manager Takundwa Chimundiya said they are targeting the final and the team is bullish ahead of Saturday’s action.
“The girls have been out of action for a long time, so in terms of fitness levels they are not that perfect, but we are raring to go and the team is confident to win against Cyclone Stars.
“It’s everyone’s dream to be in the final and we want to add some silverware in our cabinet therefore we are confident,” he said.
Rudo Neshamba, Judith Lunga, Rejoyce Kampfumvuti and Priviledge Mbethi will be expected to be at their best if the Bulawayo giants are going to book a berth in the final.
Chimundiya said they want to capitalise on home advantage.
“We will take the game against Cyclone with caution, because it can go either way. But we are hoping home advantage to play a part as well,” said Chimundiya.
In the other fixture Black Rhinos will clash with Mufakose Queens. Teams are battling for the $75,000 at stake.
Meanwhile, Sibanda said they want to hold consultative meetings with the clubs in the next two weeks on their expectations and to find out how they want the league to be funded and run.
“Before we talk about the start of the season, we want to engage teams and hear from them what they expect from us and then we can see how we move on,” she said.
The Super League was initiated in 2011 and teams played without a sponsor that year before Marange Resources came on board in 2012.
In 2013 there was no action and the former board led by Mavis Gumbo and Zifa honorary life member Cecilia Malunga failed to give any explanation why the league programme was aborted after so much promise the previous season.
Online Reporter