Ten years after Zimbabwe's Mighty Warriors made history by qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, ZIFA Vice President Loveness Mukura believes nothing can stop the girls from returning to the world's biggest sporting stage in Los Angeles in 2028, and that journey begins in Zambia this weekend.
Mukura visited the Mighty Warriors camp ahead of the Four Nations Tournament in Zambia, where Zimbabwe open their campaign against Lesotho on Saturday June 6 at 12:30 PM CAT at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, in what serves as the beginning of a carefully structured preparation programme for the LA28 Olympic qualifiers.
"Our journey for the Los Angeles Olympics qualifiers starts now and I'm really excited that the girls look well prepared for the upcoming friendlies," Mukura said during her visit to the camp.
"It's the beginning of the preparations for the bigger picture as we are going into 2028. We are confident that after 2016, there's a period span of 10 years, there's nothing that can stop us from qualifying again."
Mukura was clear that results in Zambia are secondary to the bigger objective of assessing the squad and identifying areas for improvement ahead of the crucial Olympic qualifier against Malawi.
"We are not so much worried about results because this is a preparation stage. We are mostly worried about viewing and seeing where we are as a team so that we see the gaps, where we need to correct or where we need to fortify so that we have a very good team which can face Malawi."
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The ZIFA Vice President expressed confidence about the Malawi challenge, pointing to the Mighty Warriors' recent performance at the COSAFA as evidence of the team's growing quality.
She also highlighted the significance of international-based players Immaculate Musipa, the team captain, and Rulimbo Mucherera returning to the fold.
"It just shows the football stakeholders where we want to go. We need to cast the net wider into international arenas so that all those who are of Zimbabwean national can come and save their country's badge."
Mukura also spoke passionately about the importance of developing local junior talent alongside the senior squad, referencing the Roots Impact platform as a key scouting tool.
"Once we have juniors coming on board and our seniors giving the experience, I'm sure there's nothing that can stop us from qualifying. I know it's a process, but we are confident."
She closed with a direct appeal to the Zimbabwean public to shift some of their attention toward the women's game.
"Support is very critical. I know the attention and focus is normally on men's football, but we are calling on all women's football lovers and every football fan out there to come and support the women. Please, let's all just garner support for the girls as much as we can."
Zimbabwe's next preparation window is scheduled for September, where further friendlies will be arranged ahead of the decisive Olympic qualifier against Malawi.