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history if she steers her charges to Maputo.
The Zimbabwe senior women’s team have played once at the Games.
The women’s tournament was introduced during the Games in Nigeria and Zimbabwe were among countries invited to play based on their rankings.
The team didn’t need to qualify.
But a lot has changed since then and Sithetheliwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda, Ruth Banda and Pretty Phiri have hung up their boots.
And this youthful Class of 2011 is on a mission to earn a place by qualification.
Chingawo, the new skipper, is now ripe for the big stage and has played a key role in the campaign.
Yesterday, Nomsa Moyo – a veteran of the Abuja Games – went down memory lane and said it would be good for the team to qualify for the Games again.
“In Abuja we were pooled in the same group with eventual winners Nigeria, Cameroon, who won bronze, and Ethiopia.
“We beat Ethiopia 4-0 and Cameroon 1-0 and lost to Nigeria but qualified together with Nigeria to the next round.
“We played Mali and drew 1-1 and lost 2-1 to South Africa who won the silver medal and bowed out of the tournament.
“But it was quite an experience playing at such tournament for the first time.
“We gained confidence and improved our game but unfortunately after that our football died and we never even featured at the 2007 Algeria All-Africa Games qualifiers.
“So we have to win on Sunday,” said Moyo.
The Mighty Warriors yesterday went through their paces at Rufaro and said they were only focussed at wining their game.
Striker Rudo Neshamba, who scored the team’s solitary goal, said they will complete their mission.
“We will definitely win. Their defenders are not composed and have no ball control and technique.
“We need to score an early goal and unsettle them. Hopefully I will find the target again.
“It is always a pleasure to score for your team,” said Neshamba.
Midfielder Talent Mandaza, who got the nod ahead of Tsitsi Mairosi in the first leg, said she was ready for the showdown.
“I did well in Angola and even the coach told me that I had impressed her as it was my first time in these qualifiers.
“In the first leg I observed that the Angolans quickly fizzled out and if we stretch them we can even win with a bigger margin.
“They frustrated us but we are now at home and with all the support we can do it,” said Mandaza.
The team also got another timely boost yesterday when Karinga donated T-shirts and training bibs and relish soups and a cash donation of US$1 000.
The company’s Group Public Relations Director, Molly Mandinyenya, said they were happy to be associated with the winning team.
“We are really proud to be here. And we are inviting all the ladies to come out in full force and spoil the girl child.
“They are energetic and after conquering Angola on Sunday they should go and conquer the kitchen.
“As a company we are saying, small as we are, the sky is the limit and together with the Mighty Warriors we can do it,” said Mandinyenya.
Zimbabwe wound up their practise matches with a tie against FC Villa and drew 2-2 with the men’s team with Mairosi and Patience Mujuru scoring for the team.
Only Violet Bepete has been ruled out for second leg after she was injured in the first leg where she came in as a second half substitute.
Meanwhile, the Angola women’s football team is expected to arrive in the country this afternoon.