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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Mighty Warriors fly out of Harare this morning for the Cosafa Women’s Championship in South Africa where they begin their campaign against Namibia in Group C on Thursday.

Coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda trimmed the squad to 20 from 30 last Friday and said teamwork, more than individual play, is her mantra.

“The girls are set to fly out on Monday (today) morning,” Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela said.

The Mighty Warriors play their second game against Eswatini on Friday before wrapping up their group matches with a tie against East African guest nation Uganda on September 17.

There are 12 countries in the tourney grouped into three pools of four. South Africa, Botswana, Madagascar and Malawi are in Group A, while Zambia, Lesotho, Mozambique and another guest nation Cameroon are in Group B.

The top team from each group, plus the best-placed runner-up advance to the semi-finals.

Should the Mighty Warriors emerge as group winners, they will square off against Group A winners. But if they progress as best runners-up, their opponents will be Group B winners.

Sibanda said the team appreciated the support from Zifa after the association’s vice-president Omega Sibanda and board member finance Philemon Machana visited them in camp on Thursday.

“I think it motivates us not to feel as if we’ve just been abandoned at the village with no one visiting us. It’s quite a motivation to the team. That address to encourage the players to play their part in raising the Zimbabwean flag high was good,” said Sibanda.

Mighty Warriors final squad
Goalkeepers: Chido Dzingirai (Correctional), Shebba Rauli (Auckland), Lindiwe Magwede (Cyclone Stars)

Defenders: Nobuhle Majika (MSU), Danai Bhobho (Harare City), Nobukhosi Ncube (Correctional), Lynett Mutokuto (Black Rhinos), Sheila Makoto (Blue Swallows), Sithembile Nyoni (Weerams)

Midfielders: Emmaculate Msipa (Black Rhinos), Marjory Nyaumwe (Correctional), Kudzanai Chiparausha (Blue Swallows), Mavis Chirandu (Black Rhinos), Felistas Muzongondi (Black Rhinos)

Strikers: Rutendo Makore (Black Rhinos), Berita Kabwe (Correctional), Shamiso Mutasa (Harare City), Erina Jeke (Correctional) Maudy Mafuruse (Faith Drive), Susan Nyama (Herentals)