Women’s league comes alive

Speaking at a brief ceremony for the hand-over of the kits by the diamond firm to the clubs, witnessed by the Zifa president Cuthbert Dube, board member finance Elliot Kasu, board member (women’s football) Mavis Gumbo and the club officials, the coaches expressed confidence that this year’s league, which is now branded, would be full of fireworks.

The sponsorship is the first of its kind in women’s football history and is a full package which will see the company catering for all the clubs’ transport costs, camping costs, uniforms and match officials fees.
Yesterday, each of the ten clubs, was presented with two playing kits — a home and away strip and a tracksuit kit and Marange company lawyer, Ellen Gara, said she hopes the sponsorship will benefit the girl-child and boost the national teams.

Gara said she cannot reveal the exact figure of the total value of the package as they were coming into football for the first time and the sponsorship, in its first year, may run into thousands of dollars. As the sponsors’ representatives were sealing their long-term marriage with the game, the club coaches were also plotting ahead of the weekend’s matches. Defending champions Black Rhinos believe it would be a tough contest this season.

Assistant coach, Brian Derera, said they were ready to defend their crown.
“The season promises to be challenging. The morale is high but on our side we are prepared to defend the title.
“We have acquired new players like Rufaro Machingura, Violet Bepete and Sandra Muchuchu as we are still missing Talent Mandaza and Patience Mujuru who are still at the military training but would be joining later after graduating,” said Derera.

The army side has an easy task when they travel to Gweru for a date against lowly Chipembere Queens.
Cosa Guruve coach, Actmore Chatya, praised Marange for coming on board. Cyclone Queens assistant coach, Prosper Manzungu, whose charges will host seasoned Bulawayo side New Orleans at Rufaro this morning, is hoping for an improved show.

“We are continuing from where we left last season. We finished fourth last season and obviously want to do better than that. We have a tough match tomorrow and would have loved to start with any other team. New Orleans are one of the big teams in women’s football history,” said Manzungu.
Flame Lily, who got the Mighty Warriors’ duo of goalkeeper Chido Dzingirai and striker Elina Jeke from Cyclone Queens, believe they are ready for the new season.

Coach, Backlyfield Chiwenga, said they expect to win the title.
“We have prepared well since February and we have been looking forward to play the games. We expect to win everything. We are traveling to Bulawayo today (yesterday) to face Inline Academy and we are going there as underdogs but we hope we will give them a good run for their money,” said Chiwenga.

Women’s football chairperson, Mavis Gumbo, assured the sponsors that they will get the full mileage from partnering women’s football.
“We will do all that we can to ensure that the company gets the mileage, recognition and benefits they deserve from associating with ZWSL.

“We also call upon all our clubs, from the players to the administrators and the fans, to play fairly, to respect the laws of the game and to make it worth our sponsors’ effort to continue supporting the game,” said Gumbo.

Fixtures
Today: Cosa Guruve v Masvingo Queens (Madhodha Stadium, Guruve, 12pm); Inline Soccer Academy v Flame Lily Queens (BG Sports Club, 12pm); Faith Drive Queens v Mufakose Queens (Sakubva Stadium, 11am), Cyclone Stars v New Orleans Queens (Rufaro Stadium, 10am) Chipembere Queens v Black Rhinos Queens (Ascot Stadium, 12pm).