The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
THE Mighty Warriors will be looking to put the late start in preparations behind them when they take on neighbours Zambia in Wednesday’s Total Women African Nations Cup final qualifier.
Zimbabwe’s national women senior team only began camp on Wednesday leaving them with just less than one week to prepare for the tie while Zambia has been in camp for close to a month.
Head coach, Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda is expected to name her final squad today following ahead of departure for Lusaka tomorrow (Monday).
The return leg will be played next Sunday at Rufaro.
Sibanda said what is important is that they have started their preparations and will maximise on the days they have to ensure they are ready to face Shepolopolo.
The winner of the two legs will join six other countries and Ghana in the West African nation for the final tournament.
Training began last Wednesday at the Zifa Village and Zifa spokesman, Xolisani Gwesela said they are leaving tomorrow for the first leg in Zambia.
Top striker, Rutendo Makore is set to provide options upfront for Sibanda following her return from Spain.
Makore missed the first round due to an ankle injury and she is expected to add depth upfront and beef up the attack.
She will however, have to contend for a place in the squad with other strikers who include Correctional’s Berita Kabwe and Erina Jeke, Herentals’ Susan Nyama, Maudy Mafuruse of Faith Drive and ZRP’s Tafadzwa Tsunguro.
Sibanda retained a majority squad the eliminated Namibia, 4-0 on aggregate in the first round, opting for continuity.
“These players are raring to go and with the right mentality is right, I think we will be ready. There is a lot of motivation within the squad and it shows how eager they are for the game,” said Sibanda.
“Obviously, the experience will come into play but also the fact that the better part of the squad played in the Namibian match, they know what to expect, and they know what we did to take us through that Namibia tie.
“From there they were looking forward to the Zambia game, already the mentality was that we were able to beat Namibia, we qualified to play Zambia and obviously in the mind they are waiting for that game.”
Zimbabwe and Zambia have previously clashed twice in the final qualifying round of the Africa Women Cup of Nations.
The Mighty Warriors beat Namibia, 4-0 aggregate in the first round, registering 2-0 wins in both legs while Zambia’s duel with Tanzania ended 4-4 over the two legs but Shepololo proceeded on the away goals rule as they drew 3-3 in Tanzania and 1-1 in Lusaka.
Goalkeepers: Chido Dzingirai (Correctionnal), Manyara Mandara (Mwenezana), Shebba Rauli (Auckaland).
Defenders: Nobuhle Majika (Inline Academy), Lynette Mutokuto (Black Rhinos), Sheila Makoto (Blue Swallows), Edeline Mutumbami (Blue Swallows), Patience Masitara (Correctional), Sithembile Nyoni (Weerams), Nobukhosi Ncube (New Orleans), Tabeth Mutinhiri (Herentals), Sarudzai Chikowore (Harare City).
Midfielders: Talent Mandaza (Black Rhinos), Emmaculate Msipa (Black Rhinos), Daisy Kaitano(Black Rhinos), Felistas Muzongondi (Black Rhinos), Mavis Chirandu (Black Rhinos), Marjory Nyaumwe (Correctional), Vimbai Mharadzi (Blue Swallows), Kudzai Chiparausha (Blue swallows).
Strikers: Rutendo Makore, Erina Jeke (Correctional), Berita Kabwe (Correctional), Susan Nyama (Herentals), Maudy Mafuruse (Faith Drive), Tafadzwa Tsunguro (ZRP).
