Xolisani Gwesela
Sports Reporter
ZIFA have said they are negotiating with two countries for warm up matches for the Mighty Warriors as part of their build-up to the Olympic Games next month in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Games are scheduled to run from August 5-21 but the football tournament kicks off a little earlier on August 3.
Zimbabwe will face Germany, Australia and Canada in Group F.
In April the national football association revealed that they had engaged Sweden and New Zealand to play the Mighty Warriors but they have so far only managed to play South Africa’s Banyana Banyana.
Zifa spokesperson, Xolisani Gwesela yesterday said they are still working on having two more friendlies before the Games begin.
Gwesela could, however, not say whether they were still negotiating with Sweden and New Zealand as indicated earlier on by the national football association or there were other potential candidates.
“We’re currently in negotiations for friendly matches, one before they leave and the other one in Rio. It’s work in progress in relation to those friendlies. The names of the two countries will be disclosed once we have finalised, probably on Thursday,” said Gwesela.
The senior women side trooped into camp last week at Bindura University of Science Education to resume training having had a two-week camp in May, which was concluded with the friendly match they played against Banyana Banyana.
Mighty Warriors technical advisor, Barry Daka believes they are on the right track in their preparations.
“So far so good. The progress is good from last week when we came into camp. We’ve been concentrating on gym work, working on their strength and power and their physical fitness.
“We’ve been to the field again where we concentrated on the technical and tactical fitness. We were working on speed, mental awareness and tactics in attacking. And from my observations I think so far the progress has been good,” said Daka.
Daka said they have faith in the team and aware of the challenge lying ahead of them.
“From my experience I think these girls will be able to stand on their own. We’re quite aware, the opponents have attained a higher level, their standard is quite huge. But with what we’ve achieved we think we’re going to be able to compete,” said Daka.
Zimbabwe will start their campaign against Germany on August 3. They will then take on Canada on August 6 and their last group assignment is against Australia on August 9.