Sundaymail Editor
Langton Nyakwenda
The inaugural COSAFA Women’s Champions League, which will serve as a zonal qualifier for the 2021 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League, will be held in South Africa’s coastal city of Durban.
According to COSAFA, the qualifiers, which will feature Zimbabwean champions Black Rhinos Queens, will be played from August 26 to September 4.
Time is, however, running out for Black Rhinos Queens, who have not been able to adequately prepare for the qualifiers because the local game has been put on hold due to Covid-19.
In fact, Black Rhinos Queens have not been in action for almost two years.
Their plight has reached the corridors of power at COSAFA, where former ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa is now in charge.
“The challenge for some teams at the 2021 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifier from August 26 to September 4 is no more well defined than Zimbabwe side Black Rhinos Queens, who have not been in competitive action for almost two years,” wrote COSAFA on Friday morning.
“As is the case in many countries across the region, the Covid-19 situation in Zimbabwe has had a severe effect on the country’s football, with Government restrictions at times meaning players could not even train together, let alone play.”
Black Rhinos’ request for permission to train is yet to be approved by the Sports and Recreation Commission, just under three weeks before they kick-start their CAF Champions League campaign.
The Zimbabwean champions are in Group B alongside Green Buffaloes of Zambia and Tura Magic of Namibia.
Black Rhinos Queens have added the experienced duo of Marjoury Nyaumwe and Rudo Neshamba, who joined the army side on loan from Cyclone Stars and Harare City respectively.
Online Reporter