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Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE will look to make a good start when they face Mozambique in their opening fixture at the International Cricket Council Women’s Qualifier Africa 2019 at Old Hararians Sports Club this morning.
With only the winner of this nine-team tournament to make it through to the next round of the qualifiers, Adam Chifo coached Lady Chevrons need to be ruthless in their group matches which start today if they to proceed to the final on 12 May. Zimbabwe are in Group A together with Tanzania, Nigeria, Mozambique and Rwanda, while Uganda, Kenya, Namibia and Sierra Leone make up Group B.
Zimbabwe will look to carry the form they displayed during the triangular series against in Uganda where they played against Kenya as well as the host nation where they won the tournament without losing any match. Prior to that, they had whitewashed Namibia 5-0 in a series played in Walvis Bay.
Chifo feels that the team is well prepared for the Qualifier with their tour of Uganda having been helpful in preparing the lasses for the challenges at home.
“We couldn’t have prepared better, it’s been a long road but we are happy with the way we have prepared mentally, physically and tactically. Our tour to Uganda was useful and we came back and worked on our game,” Chifo said.
To Chifo, every team they are facing in the Qualifier is a threat to their quest to make it to the Twenty20 World Cup to be held in Australia next year, therefore they have to be at their best to conquer.
“We are not expecting against Mozambique but obviously we are treating each team as a threat to our road to the World Cup so we are looking to be on top of our game and go through the processes no matter who we are playing and we are going to treat each team with the respect they deserve,” he said.
The Lady Chevrons mentor is convinced that they are far much ahead of all the other eight teams in the tournament but have to prove themselves.
“Not to disrespect any team or take away anything from our opponents but we believe we are a far much better side than all of them but I guess at the moment we have to walk the talk and prove to everyone who we really are.”
Led by all rounder Mary Anne Musonda, Zimbabwe have gone for experience with the likes of Anesu Mushangwe, Ashley Ndiraya, Chipo Tiripano, Nomatter Mutasa, Precious Marange, Sharne Mayers and Tasmeen Granger being seasoned players.
OH and Takashinga Cricket Club are the venues for the group matches, with the final to be played at Harare Sports Club on 12 May.
Zimbabwe squad: Mary-Anne Musonda (captain), Ashley Ndiraya, Chipo Tiripano, Precious Marange, Anesu Mushangwe, Nomvelo Sibanda, Sharne Mayers, Loryn Phiri, Josephine Nkomo, Chiedza Mzembe, Chiedza Dhururu, Nomatter Mutasa, Tasmeen Granger, Modester Mupachikwa
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