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Veronica Gwaze, Sports Reporter
THE return of fiery Harare City Queens striker Kudakwashe Basopo to the national senior women’s football team ahead of the COSAFA tournament could be a breath of life into head coach Sithethelelwe Sibanda’s strike force.
Basopo, who is currently amongst her club’s top goal scorers this season comes in to fill the void left after the exclusion of senior strikers Rudo Neshamba, Felistas Muzongondi and Marjory Nyaumwe.
The trio together with former captain Immaculate Msipa who plays for Israeli club Ironi Ramat HaSharon FC and other seniors were dropped to pave way for the Mighty Warriors’ rebuilding mission.
Sibanda will have to cast Basopo and the team’s new legs into the deep end to test her experiment at the tourney.
The 14-team tournament is scheduled for Gqeberha, South Africa between October 22 and November 2.
Dominated by local based players, the 29-players squad boasts of Cynthia Shonga and Peacemore Kenende, who both play for South Africa women’s side Richmond United.
“I am happy to be back on the national team, I never imagined myself back in national colours one day because I had somehow written myself off but God had his own plan,” said Basopo.
“The environment in camp feels new because there are many new players, things have changed since I left and there is fresh energy and exciting unity in this ‘new’ home.”
The Mighty Warriors depart for Port Elizabeth on Tuesday before they make a date with Mozambique on Thursday at 3pm.
On October 27, they will play Lesotho as they fight to proceed to the second round of the regional competition.
The group winner, along with other top finishers from Group A, B and C, will qualify for the semifinals.
Basopo will be expected to lead the team that is composed of a number of relative new players, through her assists and goal scoring expertise.
“Having been here before, I still have an idea of what it is like to be in this competition but I am aware that I still have to work hard for a position in the team,” she said.
“I am working hard to ensure that the experience I acquired over the years is an added advantage to the team.
“I have celebrated with the Mighty Warriors before and it is some experience I want to relieve again with the new guys.”
Noting improved welfare and competition in their camp, Basopo is optimistic that the ‘new face’ Mighty Warriors can achieve a podium finish at the tournament.
“The optimism and determination is very high in camp and I am optimistic of positive results at COSAFA, precisely a top three finish though I do not want to put the team under pressure,” she added.
“I am confident that we are not going there to add numbers but to rise again to be one of the power houses within the region.
“The youngsters have the discipline, dedication and a visible passion that I believe will take us far in this and other competitions.
“I have noted that technically, things have changed. We are now playing a new and improved game, in line with the evolving play.
“I happy that I am adjusting to the new game and that we are playing very well as a unit despite coming from different clubs.”
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