Zimbabwe’s Senior Women’s National Team, the Mighty Warriors, will face Malawi in the second round of qualifiers for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Mighty Warriors go through their paces
The players in camp are Cynthia Shonga, Vanessa Lunga, Delight Matigwene, Tanyaradzwa Nyakuchena, Bridget Mutaurwa, Egness Tumbare, Nokukhanya Ndlovu, Sheila Antonio, Alice Moyo, Maudy Mafuruse, Daisy Kaitano, Shyline Dambamuromo, Christabel Katona, Danai Bhobho, Peacemore Kanende, Timukudzeishe Mudziviri, Ruvimbo Mucherera, Ethel Chinyerere, Samiah Phiri, Sasha Marikano, Farirayi Kuhudzai, Praynence Zvawanda, Rutendo Makore and Priviledge Mupeti.
Veteran midfielder Emmaculate Msipa is expected to join the camp later in the week.
The Mighty Warriors received a bye in the first round and will now begin their Road to LA28 with a two-legged tie against Malawi. The encounter marks the first major competitive assignment for newly appointed head coach Stella Gotal.
Gotal, who brings extensive women’s football development experience from Croatia’s national team system, Saudi Arabian women’s football and the Gibraltar Senior Women’s National Team, has named a provisional squad blending experienced players with emerging talent. The team is already in camp ahead of the crucial tie.
The first leg will be played on Friday, 9 October 2026 at Bingu National Stadium in Malawi, with kick-off at 3:00 PM CAT, while the return leg is scheduled for Tuesday, 13 October 2026 at the National Sports Stadium in Harare, also at 3:00 PM CAT. The winner on aggregate will advance to the next stage of the qualification campaign. Africa has been allocated two slots for the final Olympic tournament, which will kick off on 10 July 2028, four days before the official Opening Ceremony.
Zimbabwe heads into the tie with a strong record against Malawi. The two sides have met 12 times, with Zimbabwe winning 5, drawing 3 and losing 4, including victory in their most recent meeting during a three-nation tournament in Malawi in November 2025.
The Mighty Warriors are seeking to return to the global stage after making history in 2016 when they became the first Zimbabwean football team, men or women at any level, to qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio.
Preparations have been smooth, with the mother body ZIFA providing maximum support in line with its ambitious “Dream 2030” strategic project launched under President Nqobile Magwizi. While Dream 2030 is primarily aimed at guiding the senior men’s team, the Warriors, to a first-ever FIFA World Cup qualification in 2030, it also encompasses the strengthening of women’s football structures.
