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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
MIGHTY Warriors coach Rosemary Mugadza has called up 25 players to start preparations for their Olympic Games qualifiers tie against Cote d’Ivoire next week with Rutendo Makore returning to the team.

Makore, who was going through military training, last featured in the senior women’s side last year in May during the African Women Championships qualifiers against Zambia.

Zimbabwe take on the West Africans on July 19 in the third round first leg tie at Stade Robert Champroux, Abidjan.

The return leg is scheduled for August 2 at Rufaro.

The team is expected to troop into camp today at Zifa Village with training scheduled to start tomorrow.

Mugadza has called striker Catherine Chimutanda and midfielder Favourite Nhema from Mwenezana into her team.

“We will do our best with the time we are going to have before we leave for Ivory Coast and considering that they played at the World Cup they are a good side.

“But we will do our best to, at least, make sure that we succeed.

“We have got new players Catherine Chimutanda and Favourite Nhema from Mwenezana. Rutendo Makore is back after having gone for military training.

“We’ve maintained three quarters of the team that played Zambia because of the time that we have,” said Mugadza.

The Mighty Warriors last played a competitive match on May 30 against Zambia at Rufaro.

Zifa spokesperson, Xolisani Gwesela, said they had to resort to a short camp because of financial challenges.

The winners from this round will proceed to the fourth round and the two winning teams from that round qualify for next year’s Olympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Chido Dzingirai (Flame Lily), Process Chatsamwa (Black Rhinos), Manyara Mandara (Mwenezana)

Defenders: Patience Mujuru (Black Rhinos), Nobuhle Majika (Inline Academy), Sheila Makoto (Blue Swallows), Lynette Mutokuto (Black Rhinos), Viola Ndhlovu (Black Rhinos), Chido Muhara (Mufakose), Moleen Murandu (Auckland), Talent Mandaza (Black Rhinos)

Midfielders: Berita Kabwe (Tenax), Mavis Chirandu (Weerams), Felistas Muzongodi (Mwenezana), Rejoice Kapfumvuti (Inline Academy), Emmaculate Msipa (Black Rhinos), Marjory Nyaumwe (Flame Lily), Samkelisiwe Zulu (Flame Lily), Favourate Nhema (Mwenezana)

Strikers: Maud Mafurutse (Faith Drive), Rudo Neshamba (Weerams), Erina Jeke (Flame Lily), Catherine Chimutanda (Mwenezana), Rutendo Makore (Black Rhinos), Eunice Chibanda (Black Rhinos)