Xolisani Gwesela
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIFA are courting three countries for international friendly matches as part of the Mighty Warriors’ preparations for the Total Women African Nations Championship finals set for Cameroon next month.
The finals will run from November 19 to December 3.
Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela said they had requested Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya for friendlies and were hopeful of favourable responses.
“Letters have already been dispatched to the three countries and our hope is that at least two of them agree, but if all accede, the better for our girls,” said Gwesela.
He said plans were also in place for the girls to play a friendly match in Cameroon just before the tournament roars into life.
According to Gwesela, the Mighty Warriors are tentatively expected to fly to Yaoundé on November 12 and have a week to acclimatise before their first game of the jamboree in Group A against neighbours South Africa on November 19.
Their next match will be on November 22 against Egypt before wrapping up the group matches against hosts Cameroon, a team they beat 2-1 on aggregate to qualify for their maiden Olympic Games appearance.
The top two in each of the two groups will progress to the semi-finals, with the winner of Group A facing Group B runners-up and vice-versa in the semi-finals set for November 29.
Defending champions Nigeria, who have qualified for all previous finals since 1991, are in Group A and favourites to top the group, setting the stage for a fierce top place finish in Group B to avoid meeting the defending champions.
Zimbabwe are making their fourth appearance at the finals and their best performance was a fourth-place finish in 2000 in South Africa after losing 0-6 to Nigeria in the semis. Their quest for bronze was dashed by Ghana, who beat the Mighty Warriors 3-6 in the third-place play-off.