MIGHTY Warriors’ preparations for the upcoming 12th edition of the Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) are turning into a full-blown crisis, with no indications when the team will begin camp, less than a month before the tournament starts.
BY HENRY MHARA
The biennial showcase kicks off in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on November 19 to December 3.
But with 29 days to go before the tournament begins, it appears there are no plans in place for the Shadreck Mlauzi-coached side to go into camp, as Zifa continue to postpone the dates.
The football association on Monday told NewsDay that it would have a clear picture on when the team would go into camp and the programme by yesterday, but it appears the situation hasn’t changed a bit.
Zifa spokesperson, Xolisani Gwesela yesterday said the team was likely to start camp next week, two weeks before they depart for Cameroon.
The team is expected to arrive in Yaoundé on November 12 and, while Zifa have said they are planning three international friendly matches for them before they depart, that is unlikely to happen.
“We are still seized with logistical issues, as we prepare for camp. We appeal to the corporate world to partner the Mighty Warriors. Squad announcement has been postponed to the end of the week and camp is tentatively set for next week,” he said.
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Mlauzi has already raised concerns over the team’s poor preparations. He said they were not receiving the support they deserve.
The coach last month submitted his draft squad in the hope that the team would have at least six weeks in camp.
“Obviously, when things don’t work according to plan, we are not happy. We are just keeping our fingers crossed that something might happen. I’m hoping that corporates can come to our rescue because sometimes we put too much pressure on the association. We can’t blame them because of the economic environment,” Mlauzi told NewsDay.
The Mighty Warriors played a hastily-arranged friendly match against Egypt last month, which they won 2-1.
However, Mlauzi used a makeshift side after some league teams declined to release their players for national duty. Zimbabwe, who also had shoddy preparations for their Olympic Games debut in August, are in Group A at the AWCON finals together with hosts Cameroon, Egypt and neighbours South Africa.
Group B is made up of defending champions Nigeria, Ghana, Mali and Kenya.
The Mighty Warriors open their account against South Africa at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaoundé on November 19 before facing Egypt three days later.
They complete their group matches against Cameroon on November 25, with the top two teams proceeding to the semi-finals.
