Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
MIGHTY Warriors forward Samiah Phiri says she is living her dream after finally getting the chance to represent Zimbabwe at international level.
The 23-year-old is one of the new faces in the Mighty Warriors camp called up by coach Stella Gotal for the two-legged first round of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games qualifier against Malawi.
A proven goal-scorer with a powerful shot, Phiri, who has played for FC Nantes in France, is expected to come in handy in complementing veterans Rutendo Makore, Christabel Katona and Ethel Chinyerere in attack. Yet, the USA born player could have been playing for the Mighty Warriors’ cross-Zambezi rivals; the Copper Queens of Zambia. She was actually called up in a 38-member squad for a local camp in January as Zambia prepared for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco in July.
“I am honoured to be here,” Phiri said back then.
“The (Zambian) players are very welcoming, they have been helping me a lot and I feel excited to be here.”
In hindsight, Phiri could have actually got to play against Zimbabwe in the 4Nations Women’s tournament played at the Levi Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Zambia in June, but her documentation was still under consideration.
Eventually, Zambian authorities decided not to issue her with Zambian documents as they failed to get any relevant information linking her to Zambia.
The Zimbabwean window was already open for her since his father Stephen was born in Harare to a Zimbabwean mother before he moved to the USA aged just 11.
And when the opportunity for her to play for the Mighty Warriors came, Phiri didn’t think twice.
“Yes, I am really happy to be part of my national team. Africa sits and runs in my blood and this opportunity is massive,” she said.
“I’m really happy to be here with the Mighty Warriors.
“They’ve been treating me very well and everything, so I’m glad that I made this decision to be here.”
Zimbabwe face Malawi in the first leg at the Bingu International Stadium on Friday with the second leg scheduled for the National Sports Stadium on Tuesday next week.
Phiri is keen to show what she can do in her bow and rallied the Mighty Warriors to get the first punch and pick a positive result in the first instalment.
“Yes, we know that Malawi are a very good team and that they have some very good players, so we’re just preparing ourselves in the best manner possible to face them when we are in the best shape possible,” added Phiri.
“I know that they’re a good team, so just focusing on us and how we want to play against them.
“The bottom line is that I’m very excited to be here in Zimbabwe.
“This is where my dad was born, and I’m glad that I’m here just to represent him and where he’s from and just play for his country.”
Gotal has called several foreign-based players in the squad including England-based goalkeeper Tanyaradzwa Nyakuchena, Saliah Johnson, Timukudzeishe Mudziviri, Farirayi Kahudzai and Phiri.
