IN a nation still reeling from the effects of the Asiagate scandal and the subsequent free-fall of the Warriors on the Fifa rankings, the responsibility of providing that glimmer of joy to an expectant soccer-mad Zimbabwe has fallen on the shoulders of the women’s national team, the Mighty Warriors.
Report by Ranganai Dzotizei The reigning Cosafa champions have not disappointed either and have humbly answered the call, calming the nerves of the nation. Last month, the Mighty Warriors climbed two places up the Fifa Women’s World Rankings to position 94 and consolidated their 13th position on the continent, following their 5-0 victory over Zambia last month. However, their highest ranking remains 85, achieved in 2002. For a team which only returned to competitive action in 2010 after taking an eight-year hiatus from the game, the speed at which they have transformed from a side trying to find their feet, into a formidable machine that can hustle their way to the very top and become regional champions in the space of a year after their sentimental revival, has been nothing short of sensational. With Mavis Gumbo now at the helm of women’s football, the Mighty Warriors brand has once again reclaimed its glamour of 2002 when, under the leadership of Susan Chibizhe, they held the country spellbound with their enticing displays that were good enough to fill Rufaro with raptures every time they turned up for national service. Mighty Warriors assistant coach, Yohane Chikaola, believes the change of leadership and approach has been a driving force behind the success story of the flagship women’s team. “The leadership has played a big role in the revival of the women’s game. The change of atmosphere has helped a lot and Mavis Gumbo and company are meeting their goals thankfully,” he said. “We could have been higher if the momentum of 2002 hadn’t been destroyed. It is unfortunate the times were difficult then, but now we are somewhere. There is now a competitive league and a sound sponsorship,” Chikaola said. As they resurrected from the dustbins of history, the U20 side came just one game closer to qualify for the ongoing Fifa U20 Women’s World Cup in Japan, but lost to Nigeria. Chikaola quelled suggestions that they wanted to maintain the Mighty Warriors brand at senior team level only, emphasising the need to create academies, where promising talent can be nurtured to supply the different age sides with players of repute. He revealed that efforts were already underway to scout for such talent at U16 and U17 levels and some of the aspiring stars of tomorrow were tapped from the recently held Copa Coca Cola tournament in Victoria Falls in July. “Countries such as North Korea have schools of excellence and that explains their emergence as a force in women’s soccer,” he said.
