By Anashe Murombedzi
THE Mighty Warriors’ last qualifying round for the Africa Women Cup of Nations has cast the spotlight on the need for the country to adequately support the girls’ quest for glory.
The team is in camp preparing for the Africa Women Cup of Nations last qualifying round against neighbours Botswana at the National Sports on Friday, with the return the leg set for at Francistown four days later.
However, concern has been raised on lack of adequate support for the girls at a time when the Mighty Warriors are doing wonders and counted as the best among elite teams on the continent.
While their male counterparts, the Warriors, were fully funded at the just ended Africa Cup of Nations – AFCON, little attention has been put towards supporting women’s football whose league has not been active for the past two seasons.
Former Mighty Warriors captain Rose Mugadza gave an insight on the importance of sponsorship for the girls who have been the best performing local football team after qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games.
“In terms of improving women football in Zimbabwe, what needs to be done is to have sponsorship coming up to support Women football especially if they can partner with each and every team in the super league, or division one or grassroots because we’re lagging behind in terms of sponsorship and not having proper facilities when we play our matches which we need to improve,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Mighty Warriors squad to face Botswana has been boosted by the arrival of foreign based players Immaculate Msipa, Rudo Neshamba and Danai Bhobho.
A win for the Mighty Warriors over the two legs against Botswana will see Zimbabwe qualifying for the Africa Women Cup of Nations pencilled for Morocco in July.