Raylton hosts women’s derby

Orleans and Inline Academy clash at Raylton Sports club at midday.
New Orleans and Inline Academy had in the past dominated meetings in the Southern Region Division One League.
But today they will clash for bragging rights in the City of Kings where they are the only teams from the province featuring in the prestigious 10-team-league.

Yesterday, New Orleans assistant coach Sithetheliwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda said her team, which started brightly with a 5-0 victory against visiting Cosa Guruve two weeks ago, is ready for their rivals.
“We are prepared for the derby. We are good fighters and for every coach going into a match the first thing on a mind is to win.

“We have four players who are away with the national team and although we would have loved to use them because they are good the other players can also carry the day for us.
“The team plays as a unit and every player is important and we just hope we will prevail over our opponents,” said Sibanda.

Although the team will be missing player/coach Nomsa “Boyz” Moyo, Nokuthula Ndlovu, Pamela Khumalo and Rhoda Jongondi, who are in camp with the Mighty Warriors, the gaffer believes in up-and-coming striker Ntombiyenkosi Ncube, Ntombi Ndlovu and goalkeeper Portia Mukucha, she has enough arsenal against the rivals.

While New Orleans will be missing some of their key players, Inline Academy has asked for the release of their key players – striker Rudo Neshamba, midfielder Samukelisiwe Zulu and defender Nobuhle Majika – for the match.

And Neshamba, who scored the winning goal in their 2-1 laboured victory against visiting Flame Lily, says they will beat their seasoned opponents.
“I am sure we will win. The team is balanced and in our first match against Flames we didn’t really know what to expect from the Harare side and they stretched us and we could not score many goals.

“But this weekend we should come right. Everyone is excited to be playing in a league where they will be exposed and the competition at the club is just tough,” said Neshamba.
Inline Academy coach Shadreck Mlauzi will be hoping that his Mighty Warriors trio makes it for the game, which have all the ingredients of a thriller.

In the capital, a thriller is expected at Mufakose grounds where Mufakose Queens and Black Rhinos square off today at 2pm. Langton Giwa’s Mufakose boast of defender Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri and midfielders Marjoury Nyaumwe and Emmaculate Msipa who play for the Mighty Warriors.

In Mighty Warriors’ defender Patience Mujuru, Talent Mandaza and striker Kudakwashe Bhasopo, Black Rhinos, who thrashed Gweru side Chipembere in the first week, have players who can power them to a good result.

Yesterday, Zimbabwe Women’s Soccer League board member Ben Mamoche said they were likely to review their programme following reports that the Cosafa Cup may be held in Zimbabwe.
“We have drawn our season to end in November, playing twice a month, but we have quite a number international games coming up.

“While the All-Africa Games in September is likely not to affect us because teams agreed to fulfil their fixtures in the absence on the national team players the staging of Cosafa here will have a bearing. We would expect our teams to be watching these games so we will have a meeting and see how best we can manage the situation.

“And then we have a Cup tournament coming up and that has to be fixtured.
“Zifa president said the Sylvia Dube tournament, which is held in honour of his late wife and in the past only featured the men’s Eastern Region Division One teams, will now feature teams in the Super League.

“This Sylvia Dube Cup tournament is crucial for our teams and brings in excitement, competition and extra motivation for the clubs.
“We are confident that our pilot league will go on well,” said Mamoche.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Women’s Football rebranding and fund-raising committee will this evening hold a dinner to raise money for the Mighty Warriors trip to Germany next month.

Fixtures
Tomorrow: Mufakose Queens v Black Rhinos (Mufakose grounds, 2pm), New Orleans v Inline Academy (Raylton, 12pm), Cyclone v Cosa Guruve (No 5 Grounds Mbare), Flame Lily Queens v Masvingo Queens (Chikurubi Training Depot, 1pm).
Sunday: Chipembere v Faith Drive (Mkoba).