Zimpapers Logo

Grace Chingoma
Senior Sports Reporter
MIGHTY Warriors coach Sithetheliwe “Kwinji 15’’ Sibanda, believes her troops have put in a good shift in preparation for this year’s COSAFA Championships.

They are set to leave for South Africa this weekend.

The COSAFA Championships will be held in Port Elizabeth, from September 28 to October 9.

The Mighty Warriors regrouped last week for trainin, after a lengthy break due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

“All is coming up well, they are getting better with each day,and responding very well.

“We will be in better shape by end of the week, and definitely ready to compete.

“Obviously, we might struggle on match fitness but it’s the same with the other countries, they will also suffer the same fate because of lack of action due to Covid-19.’’

The Mighty Warriors are in the same group with neighbours Botswana, East African guests Tanzania and South Sudan.

Tanzania are perennial participants at the regional tournament, while South Sudan are making a bow, at the tourney.

After a dismal performance at last year’s tournament, Sibanda feels they will do better this time around. The Mighty Warriors bowed out without a win, point and goal.

“We are going to do better than last year and we have also beefed up our playing personnel,” she said.

The bulk of her team recently participated at the CAF Champions League in Durban with Black Rhinos.

About 10 players, who reached the final and lost to Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, are part of the team currently in camp at the ZIFA Village.

“It is definitely an advantage, they are better off in their match fitness and confidence,” she said. The Black Rhinos Queens duo of forward Rutendo “Madzimai” Makore and goalkeeper, Cynthia Shonga, won the player of the tournament and goalkeeper of the tournament respectively.

The Mighty Warriors are also using the regional tournament as a platform to prepare for the Africa Women Cup of Nations in November.

The Mighty Warriors have won the COSAFA Championships once.

They lifted the trophy on home soil, in 2011, when they beat Banyana Banyana in the final, at Rufaro.