Zimpapers Logo

Rosemary Mugadza

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S senior women national team coach Rosemary Mugadza yesterday named a 25-member squad ahead of their preparations for an invitational tournament in Botswana from January 30 to February 1. The three-day tournament is expected to feature four countries, including Zimbabwe and Botswana.The squad, made up mostly of players from the National Super League, is expected to troop into camp early next week at the Zifa Village to kick-start their preparations.

The technical team will use the match as part of their exercise to build a team that will compete in the All-Africa Games and Olympic Games qualifiers. Speaking to ZIFA’s official website, Mugadza expressed confidence in the selected players.

“We have selected players we presume to be the best to do the job at hand, therefore, I am optimistic of making the much-needed progress before and during the tournament in Botswana. “The bulk of the team has been training with their league clubs and that is a plus for us in as far as match fitness is concerned,” Mugadza said. The All-Africa Games qualifiers get underway next month but Zimbabwe will start their campaign in March in the second round after receiving a bye in the opening matches. They will take on Ghana at home on the weekend of March 20-22 and the return leg will be played on the weekend of April 10-12 in Ghana.

Zimbabwe Women’s Football chairperson, Miriam Sibanda said they appreciate the move by Zifa to send the team to Botswana.

“It’s something we appreciate and it will benefit us in our preparations for the All-Africa Games and Olympic Games qualifiers.

“We are also going to have a meeting with the Zifa chief executive because we have had some bad experiences and if we are to progress we need to do our part and take good care of the girls in camp.

“We remain optimistic, at least this year we are confident as women football. We have established good rapport with the ministry (Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture) and SRC. And we believe working together with Zifa we will be able to get some support.”

Provisional Squad

Pamela Mhlanga (Hwange Ladies), Bokani Sibanda (Hwange Ladies), Samelenkosi Ncube (Hwange Ladies), Melody Musasa (Mufakose Queens), Emmaculate Msipa (Mufakose Queens), Chido Muhara (Mufakose Queens), Erina Jeke (Flame Lily Queens), Marjory Nyaumwe (Flame Lily Queens), Violet Bepete (Black Rhinos Queens), Patience Mujuru (Black Rhinos Queens0, Rufaro Machingura (Black Rhinos Queens), Moleen Murandu (Auckland Queens), Mavis Chirandu (Auckland Queens), Lincie Mpaya (Auckland Queens), Rudo Neshamba (Inline Academy), Rejoyce Kapfumvuti (Inline Academy), Berita Kabwe (Tenax Queens), Deliwe Makaha ((Tenax Queens), Nokuthula Ndlovu (New Orleans Queens), Kudzanayi Chiparaushe (Blue Swallows Queens), Sheila Makoto (Blue Swallows Queens0, Tafadzwa Tsunguro (Blue Swallows Queens), Fortunate Kandarira (ZRP Morris Queens).