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Grace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
A TOTAL of 55 youthful women’s football players have assembled in Harare for the Northern Region School of Excellence training camp that begins today at Queen Elizabeth.
The 10-day camp will be officially opened this afternoon by the Northern Region patrons, Ministers Sithembiso Nyoni and Paul Mavima.
The training camp will be conducted by the technical committee headed by CAF instructors Nelson Matongorere and Rosemary Mugadza.
Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Nyoni and Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Mavima are the co-patrons of the Northern Region that has embarked in an ambitious drive to identify and groom players that will help widen the selection pool for the women’s national teams.
The two ministers have managed to secure a number of corporate sponsors to fund the Northern Region School of Excellency. The players that trooped into camp on Friday were identified during a Northern Region tournament that was held over three weeks in November in Harare from the first division and lower regions.
The periodic camps will not only train football skills but will also equip the girl child with information relating to the dangers of early pregnancy and vices such as drug and substance abuse. The region has roped in experts from the relevant organisations such as Childline.
Northern Region chairman Peter Gonyora told The Herald that they took a deliberate decision to revive the region, which have produced a number of players that went on to feature for the Mighty Warriors and the Young Mighty Warriors.
“We are looking forward to increasing the number in the future. Next year we will add the Under-15 age group. The idea is in four years’ time we should have a database of about 400 players mostly Under-20.
“We are grateful to our patrons and sponsors who are making this ambitious project a reality. We want to empower the girl child in all facets of life that include her welfare as well as her football prowess,” said Gonyora.
Before going into camp the players underwent some medical tests as the Northern Region is doing everything according to the book.
Northern Region School of Excellence 2022 intake:
Under-20 Players:
Goalkeepers:
Delight Matingwene (Maningi FC), Sasha Matshona (Chinhoyi Queens), Fungisai Kamuzonde (Harare City)
Defenders:
Sarah Maduna (Harare City), Kelly Chatyoka (Black Rhinos Queens), Rudo Machadu (Maningi FC), Lucia Chisvo (Black Rhinos Queens), Chido Marimo, Krist Kanocheni (SK Academy), Lebokani Dongo, Taropafadzwa Murungu ( Harare City), Anesu Gwande ( Mufakose Queens)
Midfielders:
Caroline Mangwai (Black Rhinos Queens), Tanyaradza Chihoro (Maningi FC), Natasha Muchakoti (Mufakose Queens), Tinevimbo Murowenyi (Harare City), Modester Mupambwa (Chinhoyi Queens), Maria Mero (Black Rhinos Queens), Tatenda Temba, Ruvarashse Musonza ( Black Rhinos Queens), Melly Pindura (Maningi FC)
Strikers:
Tawanashe Mandishona (Maningi FC), Palatial Mokonise (Star Queens), Shamiso Nyamunda (Mufakose Queens), Sharmaine Michel John, Privilege Magagani (Harare City), Chipo Nhai (Black Rhinos Queens), Violet Makaza (Chinhoyi Queens).
Under-17 Players:
Goalkeeper:
Beatrice Tiravivi (Maningi FC)
Defenders:
Thamsanga Chiweshe (Cyclone Stars), Laila Jiya (Maningi FC), Tafadzwa Muzembiwa, Careen Gurayi (Mufakose Queens), Patience Tafirenyika (SK Academy), Kundai Mazonde, Dorothy Lenda, Christine Sofidi (Mt Pleasant High School)
Midfielders:
Tracy Vhurumundu (Harare City), Munashe Joe (Cyclone Stars), Blessing Mhorende, Marylin Migeri (Maningi FC), Chido Nyongo (Mufakose Queens), Passion Chihwena, Stella Deya (Cyclone Stars), Nadia Semba (Stars Queens)
Strikers:
Thecla Machekera, Dadisai Dangirwa (Maningi FC), Faith Ngwerume (SK Academy), Santra Michelle Mhambi, Ropafadzwa Maferefa (Harare City), Beulah Magaya, Shakira Parafini (Light Academy), Whitney Masawi (SK Academy).
Online Reporter