Women U-20 in camp for Banyana tie

against Baby Banyana Banyana on Unity Day at Rufaro.
The Young Mighty Warriors will be the curtain raisers to the day’s main match between the Mighty Warriors and the South African senior women’s soccer team as part of the Unity Day celebrations.

South Africa will be featuring in the Challenge Match for the second time after participating in last year’s inaugural match, and this year they have also requested to bring their junior side to the tournament.

Zimbabwe Under-20 coach, Langton Giwa, and his assistant, Sithetheliwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda, have called up a 33-member squad as they try to assemble a new squad to replace last year’s Zone Six gold medalists in Swaziland.

Players such as former Under-20 captain Nobuhle Majika, Rudo Neshamba, Rutendo Makore and Rufaro Machingura, who formed the core of the team, are now in the Mighty Warriors’ fold.
Giwa has called up players who played at the Youth Games in Gwanda in August, the Copa Coca-Cola tournament in Bulawayo and the players who have been prominent at their respective clubs.
The Mufakose Queens’ coach is hoping to use the coming fortnight to come up with a squad that will stand up against the South Africans.

The Mighty Warriors will join the juniors in camp on Saturday as they prepare to inflict revenge on Banyana Banyana, who thrashed them 3-0 on Unity Day at Rufaro last year, to lift the trophy.
Zimbabwe Women’s Soccer League boss Mavis Gumbo said they were ready for the Unity Day Challenge Cup.
“This year’s edition will be bigger and better as South Africa are bringing their development side and we are also fielding our junior side.

“This will also expose our juniors to international competition. Our thrust now is on junior development as we try to put all the structures into place.
“We are hoping to have an Under-17 team in place shortly and also participating in their age-group competitions. These age groups should successfully feed into the senior team rather than just concentrating on the Mighty Warriors without putting proper development in place.

“We are glad we would be hosting our neighbours again. South Africa have qualified for next year’s Olympic Games and they feel we will help them to prepare for the Games.
“We are also looking at our teams, especially the Mighty Warriors, to turn the tables against South Africa and lift the trophy. After beating them in the Cosafa Championships final, we are hopeful. The

technical team is also itching for the game as the Mighty Warriors are starting their African Cup of Nations qualifiers next month.

“We want to be adequately prepared and avoid being caught off guard like we did at the All-Africa Games.
“I believe with the support we continue to receive from various stakeholders, the Mighty Warriors’ brand will never walk alone, and we anticipate an exciting Unity Day Challenge Cup,” said Gumbo.

Squad
Mavis Chirandu, Wendy Zulu, Barbra Soko (all Ackland), Charity Karuru, Sisellor Gandiwa (both Masvingo Queens), Pamela Khumalo, Portia Mukucha, Nobunkosi Ncube, Rhoda Jongondi, Maggie Moyo, Precious Mtiska ( all New Orleans), Berita Kabwe(Faith Drive), Tafadzwa Tsunguru, Daisy Kaitano, Emma, Elizabeth Chaparangana (all Aces Youth Academy), Nyasha Munemo, Alice Chigura (both Cyclone Stars), Hilda Matabvu, Amanda Nyamututa (both Cosa Guruve), Nomsa Bizeki, Rutendo Madongorere, Faith Chasi, Samantha Peter, Florence Maponga, Thelma Timire, Rumbidzai Gore, Mitchelle Vambe (all Mufakose Queens), Vanessa Lunga, Sibonkosi Nleya, Noma Mpofu, Kelly Phiri, Sikhangisiwe Sibanda (all Inline Academy).