THE Zimbabwe Senior Women’s Soccer team, the Mighty Warriors, are geared up and ready to take on Angola in their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Qualifier at Estadio Joaquim Dinis Stadium in Luanda this evening.
The team’s preparations received a significant boost with the arrival of foreign-based players that include captain Emmaculate Msipa from Israel, Danai Bhobho from Tanzania and Yolanda Kanyai from Australia.
The trio joined their local-based counterparts, who had been in camp earlier, to complete the squad.
Head coach Sithethelelwe Sibanda expressed her satisfaction with the team’s preparations.
“The preparations have been going very well. We have covered a lot of ground to prepare us to the standard where we feel we can perform well,” she said.
“The response has been quite overwhelming, starting from the local-based players who got into camp earlier and then the foreign-based players joined us here in Angola.
“Striker Ruvimbo Mucherera, who is new to the team, had an opportunity to integrate with the girls as she joined the team in Harare from Israel and the other girls shouldn’t be a problem because they have played together before.
“The team is looking good, and we’re confident that we can get a positive result.”
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Newcomer Mucherera has been integrating well with the team and has shown promise during her brief stint in camp.
Team captain Msipa, a midfield genius, is set to provide leadership and experience as usual, while seasoned campaigners Mavis Chirandu and Rutendo Makore will add impetus and firepower to the squad.
Coach Sibanda is spoilt for choice and faces a positive selection headache.
Msipa is delighted to be part of the team and is confident of victory for the Sibanda-coached side.
“I am delighted to be back in the Mighty Warriors squad and it’s always an honour to represent my country,” she said.
“I am grateful to be part of the team and happy to see the old faces and the new faces, senior and young players. I hope and believe we are going to deliver good results.”
Kanyai, who is based in Australia, finally realised her lifelong dream of representing the Mighty Warriors after she joined the team on Tuesday night following a 48-hour flight to Angola and had her first training with the team yesterday.
“I am truly honoured and humbled to receive this call up which is my first and I will do my best to represent my country to the best of my abilities,” Kanyai, the Darwin Olympic FC striker, said.
“It has been good with the team. They welcomed me well and I am quite comfortable and we will see what will happen in the next few days.
“I can only do my best as a player, but I do believe in the capabilities of my teammates, who are really keen, so watch the space and support us as we head into tomorrow’s match.”
The second leg will take place at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, on Wednesday next week.
If they progress to the next round, the Warriors will face the winner between Malawi and Congo.
The newly-elected Zifa board has thrown its weight behind the Mighty Warriors, introducing various incentives, including camping allowances, to support the team’s preparations.
This has simplified Sibanda’s work, allowing her to focus on getting the most out of her players.
