RUDO Neshamba will miss the African Women Cup of Nations (Awcon) finals in Cameroon, which start in just over two weeks’ time, after she was omitted from the provisional squad announced yesterday.
BY HENRY MHARA
The 24-year-old striker has a chronic knee injury, which also affected her participation at the Rio Olympic Games where she only featured in her team’s opening match.
She had been named the team’s captain.
She is not part of the 26-member squad that begins camp today to start preparing for the finals which kick off in Cameroon on November 19.
The squad will be trimmed to 21 players who will travel to Yaoundé.
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Mighty Warriors assistant coach Sthetheliwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda yesterday said the team’s technical team were disappointed to leave out one of their best players.
Coach Shadreck Mlauzi had asked well-wishers to help Neshamba financially so she could undergo surgery to correct the knee, but it appears no one came forward.
“She has not recovered from her persistent injury and leaving her out was a very difficult decision for us considering the contribution she made to this team’s qualification,” Kwinji 15 said.
“We gave her some rest prior to the Olympic Games hoping she would recover, but she struggled at the tournament.
She actually aggravated the injury and we think selecting her for this tournament would further damage her. It’s a tough decision to make and painful for the player, but we thought this was the best for her career. Her absence is a big loss for the team, but we are hoping those selected will be inspired to do the job.”
Besides Neshamba, another notable exclusion is that of Erina Jeke, who also scored crucial goals in the qualification campaign including a brace in their opening match away to Tanzania.
Mlauzi handed first national team call-ups to Biola Mpofu of Inline Academy, Lisa Mpofu of Mwenezana and Happiness Gumbo of Hearts of Oak.
The Mighty Warriors, who have been idle since returning from Brazil, begin camp in Harare this morning after the intervention of the team’s fundraising committee led by Old Mutual marketing executive Lillian Mbayiwa, who are mobilising resources for the team’s camp, air fares to Cameroon and allowances.
The team will play South Africa in a warm-up match at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on Thursday. Zimbabwe are in Group A together with hosts Cameroon, Egypt and South Africa.
Group B is made up of defending champions Nigeria, Ghana, Mali and Kenya.
The Mighty Warriors open their account against South Africa 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.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Chido Dzingirai, Lindiwe Magwede, Manyara Mandara, Lisa Mpofu Defenders: Danai Bhobho, Nobuhle Majika, Sarudzai Chikoore, Nobukhosi Ncube, Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri, Sheila Makoto, Patience Mujuru, Biola Mpofu, Eunice Chibanda. Midfielders: Emmaculate Msipa, Mavis Chirandu, Marjory Nyaumwe, Talent Mandaza, Aldiglade Bhamu, Sifundile Moyo, Happiness Gumbo Strikers: Rutendo Makore, Berita Kabwe, Sibonginkosi Nleya, Felistas Muzongondi, Kudakwashe Basopo, Maud Mafuruse.