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Ellina Mhlanga, Harare Bureau
MIGHTY Warriors coach Shadreck Mlauzi says Sunday’s international friendly match against South Africa presents them with the opportunity to try new combinations and assess their players in a match situation ahead of the Olympic Games.

The senior women national team got into camp more than a week ago to prepare for the Games scheduled for August in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The match is pencilled for Sunday at Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa, Johannesburg.

“It’s yet another chance to test the different players, work on other combinations yet remaining competitive. It’s a chance to improve our match fitness really.

“This technical team came into office with the Cameroon assignment being our immediate task, which was an extremely important assignment.

“So we could not tamper with the team. It was the same for the Africa Nations Cup where we could not test the players. But if given friendly matches within a training camp it’s workable,” said Mlauzi.

The Mighty Warriors coach expressed concern over injuries as their number one goalkeeper, Chido Dzingirai, was forced to watch the training session from the sidelines because of a knee injury while Rudo Neshamba had a light training as she is still to recover from a persistent knee injury also.

“The preparations haven’t been the way we wanted. It has been a slow start really. Last week we had a lot of disruption but this week it’s been shaping up nicely.

“We have had strength and conditioning sessions. We are hoping for a better response and cooperation this week from clubs,” said Mlauzi.

Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela said the team was expected to leave for South Africa on Friday for Sunday’s game.

“The match is on the 15th of May, 2016. So the Mighty Warriors are expected to leave on the 13th. We have been in negotiations for the past two weeks that we go to South Africa, we play with them because they also want to prepare for the Olympics.

“It’s important to play South Africa, they are also participating in the Olympics. I think it will be a very good challenge and a good friendly match.

“We want to expose this team to a number of matches…work is in progress. But we are very hopeful one or two countries that would want to play with us,” said Gwesela.

The Mighty Warriors should expect a tough game from their neighbours who started their preparations for the Olympics last November, soon after their qualification in October.

Banyana Banyana head coach Vera Pauw said they are also looking forward to the game in their own preparations for the Games.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for both us and Zimbabwe, Africa’s sole representatives at the Olympics, to showcase what we can potentially unleash at the Olympics.

“The two teams will use the occasion to launch final preparations towards Rio. We are grateful to them (Zimbabwe) agreeing to come here at such a short notice. I hope the fans will come in numbers to watch this encounter as this is something that might not happen more often,” said Pauw.

Squad
Goalkeepers: Chido Dzingirai, Lindiwe Magwede, Manyara Mandara, Hilda Mufakose.

Defenders: Nobuhle Majika, Sheila Makoto, Eunice Chibanda, Lynett Mutokuto, Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri, Patience Mujuru, Nobukhosi Ncube, Danai Bhobho.

Midfielders: Emmaculate Msipa, Marjory Nyaumwe, Aldiglade Bhamu, Viola Ndlovu, Greater Bhande, Talent Mandaza, Mavis Chirandu, Daisy Kaitano, Rejoice Kapfumvuti, Rufaro Machingura.

Strikers: Felistas Muzongondi, Rudo Neshamba, Erina Jeke, Kudakwashe Bhasopo, Samkelisiwe Zulu, Berita Kabwe, Sibonginkosi Nleya, Maud Mafuruse.