By GODFREY DUBE –
THE Zimbabwe women team have started bracing themselves for the Shepolopolo in the 2016 Africa women Championship qualifier, with assistant coach Sithethelelwe Sibanda admitting that Zambia will be a tougher opponent than Tanzania.
Zimbabwe eliminated the Tanzania Twiga Girls in the first round to make a date with the Shepolopolo who also got past Namibia to reach this stage.
Sibanda said the Shepolopolo were a stiffer opponent than the Tanzanian Twiga stars, and that his team would have to work harder.
“Zambia will be tough opponents, there is no doubt about that and as we progress to the next round, it is obvious matches will get difficult. We will try and make sure we are prepared for them,” Sibanda said.
Sibanda said Zimbabwe were looking at having a large training squad of at least 40 players ahead of the clash with the Zambians.
Meanwhile, Shepolopolo coach Albert Kachinga has urged the girls to forget about the first-round victory and instead should focus on Zimbabwe as they play an away game before playing at home.
Kachinga said the team should work hard to win away in the first leg in order to have an edge when playing at home.
“Victories are past now, it’s time to bury the past games and focus on the coming matches. It will be good to record a win away before playing at home and that will give us an edge,” he said.
Kachinga said the Shepolopolo would play some boys’ teams as they prepare for the game next month.
“This is time for the girls to work hard and dedicate their time to training. I must mention that it’s time to work on mistakes noted during the Namibia game so that we are physically and psychologically fit as we go for the game,” he said.