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Sports Reporter

LOCAL women’s football clubs are optimistic that their players will be able to adjust to international competition quickly when international competition returns with tournaments such COSAFA Cup in the next two months.

For the past one-and-half years, the players were confined to the Zimbabwe Women Football League competition due to FIFA suspension.

But some players still have what it takes to get rewarded with national team places when the calendar for women’s football competitions is released this week by the new ZIFA Normalisation Commitee.

Women’s League administrator Talent Mutsaka said there is an air of optimism in the local women football’s corridors.

“The hope that everyone had should be rewarded and fanned to greater heights by our return to the international community.

“ COSAFA will present us the opportunity to show that our spirits have always been resolute and our minds steadfast on the glory that we so much missed,” said Mutsaka.

He believes the local league kept the local women hopeful amidst the gloom. 

“The announcement came as a huge breakthrough to all clubs. Given the amount of effort and dedication which everyone was putting towards saving the girl child from social ills currently dogging our communities, this came right like an answered prayer.

“It had been quite a long time since we got shut out, but i am glad the leadership, from the executive to club officials and the fellow passionate football fraternity managed to steer the ship into the safe harbour we are in now,” said Mutsaka.  Correctional Queens Football Club secretary general Arthur Gorejena also appealed to FIFA and Normalisation Commitee to look into ways how they can improve the local league which has tried to stay afloat with minimal resources.

“We also appeal to the recently appointed Normalisation Commitee to consider women’s football and we applaud FIFA for selecting one of of our own Rosemary Mugadza. That was an honour and we feel much respected with that appointment. 

“Rose has women women’s football issues at heart. She has the problems on her fingertips. She knows exactly what the clubs are facing and knows exactly what needs to be done in terms of women’s football in Zimbabwe. 

“Our appeal is that they look into women’s football so that it improves the way it is being run and the way in which clubs are struggling in terms of finances,” he said.

Gorejena believes the new chapter should also open a new page in women’s football.

“In as much as we are excited, we are looking forward to an improved development in terms of how women’s football is being run at league level and improvement in terms of the national team.

“Clubs have endured; we need that support from FIFA, from normalisation committee. We hope and wish things will move in the right direction for women’s football development particularly the Super League. We expect that during the restructuring deserving candidates will be allowed to lead women football,” said Gorejena.

The Correctional Queens administrator feels that club football remains the backbone of national teams.

“We are very much excited to come back to international football and of course much excited that we are looking forward to any improved Zimbabwean Women Super League in particular. We cannot talk about international football at national level, Mighty Warriors, Under-23 and other junior teams at national level without talking about clubs. 

“We also need to applaud the clubs that have been able to play under difficult circumstances over the past two or three years in a self-sponsoring league, which is difficult for most women’s teams.

“We are also looking forward to the developmental programs for women’s football administrators and coaches,” he said.

Meanwhile, Herentals Queens reclaimed pole position when they edged MSU Queens 1-0 at MSU Grounds in Gweru. The champions have 32 points from 12 games. They still have an outstanding game. Harare City, who were on top before weekend’s action, have a game on Wednesday. They have a chance to go back on top on Wednesday if they win in their mid-week clash against Masvingo-based debutants Shine Shine Queens at Dzivaresekwa Stadium. 

Third-placed Black Rhinos were the biggest winners over the weekend when they thrashed Borrow Jets 9-0 at One Commando. 

Fourth-placed Correctional Queens beat Yadah 2-0 at Lord Malvern grounds.

Sithetheliwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda’s Platinum Royals shared the spoils with Chipembere Queens in a 1-1 Midlands derby at Mkoba Stadium. 

Results

Midlands State University Queens 0 Herentals Queens 1; Black Rhinos Queens 9 Borrow Jets 0; Chipembere Queens 1 Platinum Royals 1; Yadah 0 Correctional Queens 2.

Fixtures

Wednesday: Harare City v Shine Shine Queens (Dzivaresekwa, 11am); Conduit Soccer Academy v Chapungu Queens (Mudhidho, Guruve 11am)