Mighty Warriors head coach, Sithethelelwe Sibanda has named a 30-member provisional squad ahead of the COSAFA Women’s Championship to be played in September.
Veteran Mighty Warriors like Rutendo Makore, Marjory Nyaumwe and Chido Dzingirai are part of the team, but Sibanda also called-up several new faces.
Captain Talent Mandaza and Olympic goal scorer, Kudakwashe Basopo also made the cut while Emmaculate Msipa, Mavis Chirandu and Felistas Muzongondi are out due to other commitments.
Speaking about her team selection, Sibanda said she focussed on fusing youth with experience in order to create a balanced and competitive team.
“The team is a mixture of youth and experience, we are going to prepare the team to compete at the same level with others.
“For those who will be playing for the country for the first time, that alone should be enough motivation for them to do well and hold on to their spots in the team.
“At the end of the day, we are going into the tournament with the hope to compete to the best of our abilities and probably keep the trophy here since we will be playing at home,” the coach said.
The team commences training on the 21st of August and will be together till the 12-team tournament begins on the 13th of September in Bulawayo.
Provisional squad
GOALKEEPERS
CHIDO DZINGIRAI (Correctional Queens), PRETTY MATSHAZI (New Orleans), SHEBA RAULI (Auckland), MANYARA MANDARA (Mwenezana), PRECIOUS MUDYIWA (COSA)
DEFENDERS
NOBUHLE MAJIKA (Inline), SHEILA MAKOTO (Blue Swallows), NOBUKHOSI NCUBE (New Orleans), LYNETT MUTOKUTO (Black Rhinos), DANAI BHOBHO (Harare city), EDLINE MUTUMBAMI (Blue Swallows), RUFARO MACHINGURA (Black Rhinos), FORTUNATE NYOKA (Zvishavane)
MIDFIELDERS
MARJORY NYAUMWE (Correctional Queens), REJOICE KAPVUMVUTI (Inline), VIMBAI MHARADZI (Blue Swallows), DAISY KAITANO (Black Rhinos), EUNICE CHIBANDA (Black Rhinos), GREATER BANDE (Cyclone Stars), MIRANDA NCUBE (Mwenezana), TALENT MANDAZA (Black Rhinos), RUTENDO MADONGORERE (ZRP Queens)
STRIKERS
RUTENDO MAKORE (Black Rhinos), PRIVILEDGE MUPETI (M.S.U), BERITA KABWE (Correctional), KUDAKWASHE BASOPO (Black Rhinos), ETHEL CHINYERERE (Blue Swallows), SUSAN NYAMA (Herentals), CONCILIA MADOTSA (Faith drive), COLLETA JESINAU (Cyclone Stars) – ZIFA
