No guaranteed places, says Gotal

Stella Gotal

Veronica Gwaze

Zimpapers Sports Hub

NEW Mighty Warriors coach Stella Gotal says no player is guaranteed a place in her squad as she begins assessing local and foreign-based talent ahead of Zimbabwe’s Olympic qualifier against Malawi in October.

“We are not shutting the old players out, but we are also not guaranteeing spots because I believe the national team jersey should be earned on merit,” she said.

Gotal will start watching local players this week at a junior tournament before turning her attention to the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup round of 16 at the weekend.

FC Platinum Royals’ clash with Correctional Queens and Kwekwe Queens’ meeting with Harare City Queens headline the weekend programme.

“I will start attending some local games so that I familiarise myself with the faces and the type of talent we have,” said Gotal.

“I understand there is also a tournament for the young ones, which I will attend, while the weekend brings the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup into the picture.

“We will have to balance all that.”

Players previously overlooked at national level, those who operated on the fringes under the previous technical team, academy graduates and other emerging talents will all be considered.

Established players such as Daisy Kaitano, Sheila Antonio, Rutendo Makore, Christabel Katona, Priviledge Mupeti, Bridget Mutaurwa and Cynthia Shonga will also have to impress the new technical team to retain their places.

“We want to see who is performing now, who has the potential and who performed last year so that we strike a bal-ance between fresh legs and experienced players,” she said.

Gotal will work with assistant coach Arthur Gorejena, whose familiarity with the domestic game she believes will provide continuity.

“The assistant coach is familiar with the local game, so his presence preserves some continuity and makes life easier for the other new guys and me we are working with.”

Gotal has been tasked with building a Mighty Warriors side capable of qualifying for either the World Cup or the Olympic Games by 2028.

She will also work with the junior national team coaches to identify players capable of stepping up to the senior side.

Her search will extend to Zimbabwean players based in South Africa, Europe, the US and elsewhere, although foreign-based status will not guarantee selection.

Zimbabwe face regional rivals Malawi over two legs in the second round of the Olympic qualifiers in October.

Gotal wants to take the Mighty Warriors back to the Olympics after their debut at Rio 2016.

The Malawi matches will provide the first test of her pressing, high-tempo system.

“I like a team that is organised, disciplined and proactive, and plays with high intensity and confidence,” she said.

MUNHUMUTAPA CHALLENGE CUP

Women’s round-of-16 fixtures

Las Palmas v Herentals Under-19

Hardrock Queens v Black Mambas Queens

Scottland Queens v Herentals Queens

Kwekwe Queens v Harare City Queens

Maningi Queens v Faith Drive Academy

Chegutu Community Queens v Black Rhinos Queens