Langton Nyakwenda

Zimpapers Sports Hub

MIGHTY Warriors coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda acknowledges her players’ fitness levels are improving remarkably, and the gaffer is not reading much into the calibre of opponents Zimbabwe will face at the Hollywood Bets COSAFA Women’s Championship.

The tournament will be staged at three venues — Old Peter Mokaba, Sesoshogo and Peter Mokaba stadiums — in Polokwane, South Africa, from February 18 to March 1.

Zimbabwe have been drawn in Group B alongside defending champions Zambia, Botswana and Eswatini. The Mighty Warriors open their campaign with a date against Eswatini at Seshogo Stadium on February 19. Their real test will, however, come up on February 22, when they clash against perennial rivals Zambia in what promises to be the Group B decider. Sibanda’s charges then finish off their group assignments with a fate against Botswana two days later.

“It’s good to know the identity of your opponents, so that you can train knowing who you are facing and what you are facing, in as far as what those teams will bring to the table,” Sibanda said. Eleven nations will battle it out for the region’s bragging rights in a tournament that has been growing in strength over the years. Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe will take part in this year’s tournament.

The Mighty Warriors have been in camp in Harare since Monday, and coach Sibanda says there has been notable progression in terms of the players’ fitness levels. The COSAFA Cup comes at a time the local women’s Premier Soccer League is off-season, raising concerns about the players’ match fitness.

“As far as fitness levels are concerned, I think there is a lot of progression.

“The players are adapting each day,” said Sibanda. The former national team star player has named a provisional squad laced with both experience and youthful exuberance.

The list includes goalkeeper Cynthia Shonga, Bridget Mutaurwa (Herentals Queens), Nobukhosi Ncube (Chapungu Queens), Egness Tumbare (Correctional Queens), Nokukhaya Ndlovu (Platinum Royals), Daisy Kaitano (Black Rhi-nos Queens), Bethel Kondo (Herentals Queens), Shyline Dambamuromo (Herentals Queens), and Anita Ncube (Kwekwe Queens).

Goal-scoring machine Praynance Zvawanda (Herentals Queens) and Thandalwenkosi Sibanda (Mpopoma Queens) are also part of the squad. Sibanda is however, treating their opener against Eswatini with caution.

“The opening match will be tricky because of the way our season is designed.

“We are just coming from the holidays, and the players are still off-season.

“But the response has been quite good from the players.

“So yeah, we are expecting good matches,” said Sibanda.

She has been impressed by the fighting spirit being exhibited by the girls.

“The players are working very hard because everyone wants to represent their country.

“The response is quite overwhelming.

“As the games progress, we will be in better shape. These games will be good exposure for the girls.

“I think it (tournament) will have a positive impact in terms of their development because we will play many games there,” added Sibanda.

The Mighty Warriors have one COSAFA Cup title, which they won after defeating serial winners South Africa in 2011. Banyana Banyana have a record seven COSAFA championships while defending champions Zambia have two titles.