Story by Anashe Murombedzi
Zimbabwe’s representatives in the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifiers, Herentals Queens, are bracing for the regional tournament which begins in Blantyre, Malawi, this Thursday.
The team, led by Coach Simbarashe Deedza, kicked off its preparations with a friendly match against a Harare Select team comprising players from the Mighty Warriors, Zimbabwe’s national women’s football team.
Although Coach Deedza expressed satisfaction with the team’s readiness, he emphasised the need for additional friendly games to boost their confidence.
“We need more game time to ensure we’re fully prepared for the competition, the Harare select match helped us to find areas of focus to improve, we are going to play against big teams so we need more experience,” he said.
The 2021 Women Premier Soccer League champions will make their debut appearance at the regional tournament, joining Black Rhinos as the second Zimbabwean team to compete at the games.
The CAF Champions League, scheduled to take place in Blantyre, Malawi, from the 15th to the 24th of this month will feature eight teams vying for a spot in the semi-finals.
Herentals Queens are drawn in Pool A alongside the University of Western Cape of South Africa, Green Buffaloes of Zambia, and Namibia’s FC Ongos Ladies.
The winner will advance to the continental finals, joining reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, who automatically qualified as title holders.
The Zimbabwean champions are scheduled to leave this Tuesday.
