Mighty Warriors off to Namibia
MIGHTY WARRIORS coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda has opted for experience for their Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifiers first round, first leg encounter against Namibia as she retained most of the regulars in her final 18-member team scheduled to leave for Windhoek this morning.
Zimbabwe clash with Namibia on Thursday at Sam Nujoma stadium in the first leg before the two teams meet again at Rufaro on Sunday.
Sibanda said because of the limited time they had with the team, coupled with the fact that they have not been active and the players are coming from the off-season break they had to go for experience.
The coach has included regulars such as defenders Nobuhle Majika, Sheila Makoto, goalkeeper Chido Dzingirai and influential captain Talent Mandaza.
The returning trio of Emmaculate Msipa, Mavis Chirandu and Felistas Muzongondi also made the team, having missed out on the COSAFA Women’s Championship due to work commitments last September.
Msipa, Chirandu and Muzongondi took a break from playing last year when they were undergoing military training.
However, the Mighty Warriors will be missing the services of chief striker Rutendo Makore, who is now with Spanish club Sporting de Huelva reportedly due to an ankle injury.
Sibanda said the return of Muzongondi, Msipa and Chirandu is a boost for the team and is confident her charges deliver.
“Since there has been no league football since September 2017, the girls are not 100 percent fit yes, but as a technical team we are happy with their gradual progress.
“We will largely rely on the wealth of experience that we have in the team to take us to the next stage.
“Rutendo is a vital member of the squad but if she cannot be part of the team, I am confident other players are equally capable of doing the job.
“The initial agreement was for her to meet us there (in Namibia) but when a player is injured there is nothing you can do. But I believe in those who are there and the availability of the other players that were not there in the last competition it will boost our team,” Sibanda said.
In the absence of Makore, Erina Jeke teams up with Maud Mafuruse upfront as well as Susan Nyama and Vimbai Mharadzi, who had their first caps at the COSAFA tournament last September.
The only fairly new name is Edline Mutumbami, who joins regulars Majika, Makoto, Nobukhosi Ncube and Lynett Mutokuto in defence.
The winner from this tie will play either Zambia or Tanzania in the second and final round of qualification for the tournament to be hosted by Ghana between November and December.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Chido Dzingirai (Correctional Queens), Manyara Mandara (Mwenezana Queens)
Defenders: Nobuhle Majika (Inline Academy), Nobukhosi Ncube (New Orleans Queens), Sheila Makoto (Blue Swallows Queens), Lynett Mutokuto (Black Rhinos Queens), Edline Mutumbami (Blue Swallows Queens)
Midfielders: Talent Mandaza (Black Rhinos Queens), Daisy Kaitano (Black Rhinos Queens), Marjory Nyaumwe (Correctional Queens), Emmaculate Msipa (Black Rhinos Queens), Mavis Chirandu (Black Rhinos Queens), Felistas Muzongondi (Black Rhinos Queens), Berita Kabwe (Correctional Queens)
Strikers: Maud Mafuruse (Faith Drive Queens), Susan Nyama (Herentals Queens), Erina Jeke (Correctional Queens), Vimbai Mharadzi (Blue Swallows Queens).