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NEW KID ON THE BLOCK . . . Mighty Warriors rookie goalkeeper Selby Spencer (second from left) relaxes with her teammates Lindiwe Magwede (left), Amanda Banda and goalkeepers’ coach Ndega Matsika during yesterday’s session at Rufaro

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
MIGHTY Warriors assistant coach Yohannes Chikaola is confident her charges will deliver in today’s Unity Day Cup Challenge match against Lesotho at Rufaro.
The senior women’s national team goes into the game with an upper hand having twice dismissed Lesotho 5-1 and 6-1 in their backyard when they clashed during two friendly matches in October.

Speaking at their last training session yesterday at Rufaro, Chikaola said they were looking forward to today’s match as they prepare for next year’s African Women Championships qualifiers starting in February.

“As usual, any coach wants to win and tomorrow (today) we are going to win. We are looking ahead for the African Championships so tomorrow we will be looking at their movement and attacking so that come February 13-14 we will be ready.

“They are fighting for positions also, we have been calling the Under-20s. This is a system we are going to implement as Mighty Warriors to include the younger players so that they know the system.

“Lesotho has also been preparing very well. I understand from the time we played in Lesotho they didn’t break camp.
“They have called in some of their experienced players so we are not expecting an easy match. We have told the girls not to underrate Lesotho,” said Chikaola. Chikaola said preparations for the game have been going on well.

“We played SR Villa as usual, that match was a preparatory match for tomorrow (today) and the girls looked fine and in shape. Their fitness level at this time is okay considering that when we went to Lesotho we were starting our preparations. They also used to playing friendlies at club level so it helped us,” said Chikaola.

Zimbabwe Women Football boss, Mavis Gumbo, urged fans to come to the stadium in their numbers to support the team.
“So far so good, everything has been going on according to plan. Since it’s the eve of Unity Day we expect the ground to be full.

“We expect people to come and celebrate the girl child and Unity Day. We are hoping that we not going to disappoint,” said Gumbo.
Lesotho arrived in the country on Thursday morning with a 30-member delegation.

The Unity Cup has become a traditional tournament for the senior women’s national team since its revival in 2010.
Team: Chido Dzingirai, Deliwe Makaha, Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri, Nobuhle Majika, Patience Mujuru, Melody Musasa, Talent Mandaza, Marjoury Nyaumwe, Felistus Muzongondi (captain), Rudo Neshamba, Nokuthula Ndlovu, Violet Bepete, Emmaculate Msipa, Mavis Chirandu, Sicelo Dube, Rutendo Makore, Erina Jeke, Rufaro Machingura.