Mighty Warriors Depart for Angola Ahead of Women’s AFCON Qualifier

The Zimbabwe national women’s football team, the Mighty Warriors, departed for Luanda, Angola, on Monday morning for their first-leg encounter in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier. The match is scheduled to take place on Thursday at Estadio Joaquim Dinis.

The team will have two days of training before facing Angola, with the return leg set to be played five days later in South Africa.

Warm Send-Off for the Mighty Warriors

The Mighty Warriors received an outpouring of support from various football stakeholders before their departure. Minister of Sports Kirsty Coventry, along with her deputy Emily Jesaya, acting permanent secretary Eugenia Chidhakwa, and acting SRC director Sebastian Garikai, attended a send-off ceremony at the ZESA Training Centre in Belvedere.

Later in the evening, the newly elected Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) leadership hosted a send-off dinner for the team. Former women’s football administrator Barbara Chikosi also showed her support by offering free hairstyling, manicures, and pedicures for the players at her Red Rose Salon in Harare.

Additionally, ZIFA board member Brighton ‘Panjap’ Ushendibaba reportedly contributed US$1,000 for the team’s expenses.

ZIFA’s Commitment to the Team

The new ZIFA executive, led by president Nqobile Magwizi, has shown strong backing for the Mighty Warriors. Members of the board have frequently attended training sessions to boost morale, with ZIFA CEO Yvonne Manwa confirming that the team will receive training allowances.

“I am happy to announce that this board has committed to paying you your training allowances,” Manwa said during a recent visit to the team’s training camp.

Support from Fans

A group of national team supporters, led by Chris Romario Musekiwa, also visited the team at their training grounds at Prince Edward School on Saturday. The supporters cheered on the players as they engaged in a practice match against the school’s Under-15 team.

Mighty Warriors Squad for the Angola Clash

Goalkeepers: Vanessa Lunga, Precious Mudyiwa, Lindiwe Magwede.

Defenders: Egness Tumbare, Sheila Antonio, Purity Mugayi, Nobukhosi Ncube, Alice Moyo, Fortunate Ngocho.

Midfielders: Daisy Kaitano, Morelife Nyagumbo, Ennetty Chemhere, Natasha Ndowa, Danai Bhobho, Emmaculate Msipa, Mavis Chirandu, Shyline Dambamuromo.

Strikers: Christabel Katona, Rutendo Makore, Ethel Chinyerere, Yolanda Kanyai, Ruvimbo Mucherera.

With strong backing from the football fraternity and passionate fans, the Mighty Warriors will be hoping for a positive result as they embark on their journey to qualify for WAFCON.