Stella Gotal picks her final Mighty Warriors squad for Malawi showdown
Zimbabwe Senior Women’s team head coach Stella Gotal has named her final 24-player Mighty Warriors squad to face Malawi in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games Qualifiers.
The Mighty Warriors depart for Malawi on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the first leg this Friday against the Scorchers. Gotal trimmed her provisional squad to a final 24-player squad.
In goal, Gotal has kept faith in three shot-stoppers. Cynthia Shonga from Herentals Queens leads the department, joined by England-based Tanyaradzwa Nyakuchena from Chesham United Women and Delight Matigwene from Chapungu Queens.
The young Nyakuchena, who rose through the Young Mighty Warriors at the COSAFA U17 Championship in 2025, keeps her place after her first senior call-up. She will compete with Shonga and Matigwene for the number one jersey.
In defence, Gotal has named seven players. Herentals Queens provide the bulk with Bridget Mutaurwa, Egness Tumbare, Alice Moyo and Maudy Mafuruse all included. They are joined by Nokukhanya Ndlovu from Platinum Royals, Sheila Antonio from Chapungu Queens and United States-based Saliah Johnson from Union Commonwealth University.
Mighty Warriors at Robert Mugabe International Airport. Picture by ZIFA
GOTAL RETAINS VETERAN MIGHTY WARRIORS STARS
The midfield is the most packed department with seven players. Daisy Kaitano and Christabel Katona come in from Black Rhinos Queens, alongside Shyline Dambamuro from Herentals Queens.
Veteran Emmaculate Msipa, who plays for Maccabi Holon, is recalled and brings experience from the Rio 2016 Olympic squad. Danai Bhobho from Nsingizini Hotspurs, Peacemore Kenende from Ladies Young Achievers and Timukudzeishe Mudziviri from Southern United FC complete the midfield.
Upfront, Gotal has gone with seven forwards. Ruvimbo Mucherera from Maccabi Tel Aviv heads the attack, alongside Ethel Chinyerere from Green Buffaloes, Samiah Phiri who is unattached, Sasha Marikano from FC Atletico Uri, Praynence Zvawanda from Herentals Queens, Rutendo Makore from Black Rhinos Queens and Priviledge Mupeti from Black Rhinos Queens.
Makore, like Msipa, was part of the Mighty Warriors squad that qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympics. Zimbabwe will face a tough Malawi side. The Scorchers are coming off a strong WAFCON 2026 campaign in Morocco where they finished second and won a silver medal after losing the final to Cameroon.
The second-round qualifier will be played over two legs, with the first leg on October 9, 2026 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, and the second leg on October 13, 2026 at the National Sports Stadium in Harare.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Cynthia Shonga (Herentals Queens), Tanyaradzwa Nyakuchena (Chesham United Women, England), Delight Matigwene (Chapungu Queens)
Defenders: Bridget Mutaurwa, Egness Tumbare, Alice Moyo, Maudy Mafuruse (all Herentals Queens), Nokukhanya Ndlovu (Platinum Royals), Sheila Antonio (Chapungu Queens), Saliah Johnson (Union Commonwealth, USA)
Midfielders: Daisy Kaitano, Christabel Katona (both Black Rhinos Queens), Shyline Dambamuro (Herentals Queens), Emmaculate Msipa (Maccabi Holon, Israel), Danai Bhobho (Nsingizini Hotspurs, Eswatini), Peacemore Kenende (Ladies Young Achievers), Timukudzeishe Mudziviri (Southern United FC)
Forwards: Ruvimbo Mucherera (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel), Ethel Chinyerere (Green Buffaloes, Zambia), Samiah Phiri (Unattached), Sasha Marikano (FC Atletico Uri, Spain), Praynence Zvawanda (Herentals Queens), Rutendo Makore, Priviledge Mupeti (both Black Rhinos Queens)
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