ZIMBABWE has a chance to defend the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) title they won on home soil six years ago in the revived edition of the tournament that will be held from September 13-24 2017 in Bulawayo.
A total of 11 teams will take part in this year’s tournament.
Kenya are the guest team from East Africa while South Africa – who have won the cup three times, Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and Zambia are the other participating nations.
The Mighty Warriors (Zimbabwe) will look up to star player Rufaro Machingura as they seek to defend the title they won at Rufaro Stadium.
In that epic final, they dismissed neighbours South Africa courtesy of Machingura’s solitary strike.
The lanky Machingura was playing as a striker then, but has since switched to a tough-tackling defender.
Kudakwashe Basopo, Marjory Nyaumwe, Eunice Chibanda, Talent Mandaza, Danai Bhobho and Chido Dzingirai were part of the Class of 2011 that won the COSAFA title and are part of the provisional 30-member squad.
The Mighty Warriors and SA are the favourites to reach the final but Zambia might be a surprise package this year.
Provisional squad
Goalkeepers: Chido Dzingirai (Correctional Queens), Pretty Matshazi (New Orleans), Sheba Rauli (Auckland), Manyara Mandara (Mwenezana), Precious Mudyiwa (Cosa)
Defenders: Nobuhle Majika (Inline), Sheila Makoto (Blue Swallows), Nobukhosi Ncube (New Orleans), Lynett Mutokuto (Black Rhinos), Danai Bhobho (Harare City), Edline Mutumbami (Blue Swallows), Rufaro Machingura (Black Rhinos), Fortunate Nyoka (Zvishavane)
Midfielders: Marjory Nyaumwe (Correctional Queens), Rejoice Kapvumvuti (Inline), Vimbai Mharadzi (Blue Swallows), Daisy Kaitano (Black Rhinos), Eunice Chibanda (Black Rhinos), Greater Bande (Cyclone Stars), Miranda Ncube (Mwenezana), Talent Mandaza (Black Rhinos), Rutendo Madongorere (ZRP Queens)
Strikers: Rutendo Makore (Black Rhinos), Priviledge Mupeti (MSU), Berita Kabwe (Correctional), Kudakwashe Basopo (Black Rhinos), Ethel Chinyerere (Blue Swallows), Susan Nyama (Herentals), Concilia Madotsa (Faith Drive), Colleta Jesinau (Cyclone Stars)