Herentals Queens confident of triumph in regional championship
Herentals Queens will become the second club from Zimbabwe, and first since 2021, to compete in the CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifier when they travel to Blantyre, Malawi for the event from August 15-24.
Black Rhinos Queens made the final of the inaugural regional championship three years ago, but missed out on qualification to the continental finals when they were beaten by South African side Mamelodi Sundowns in the decider.
Herentals Queens will hope to go one better this time round as they debut at this stage but come into the competition with form and confidence following their victory in the national championship.
It will be no easy task though, they open their campaign against Namibia side Ongos FC on August 15, also the tournament opener, before a clash with 2022 champions Green Buffaloes two days later from Zambia and then University of the Western Cape of South Africa on August 19.
Only the top two teams in the pool advance to the semifinals, and only the winning club will go to the African finals.
“It’s a tough group, but I believe we are also tough and they’re also talking about us wherever they are. We know we have the aptitude to maneuver and bring home positive results,” Herentals Queens manager Shylet Chikonyora told the Standard Sport.
“Our biggest challenge is the game against UWC, which is a good thing that it’s coming right at the end after we have played the other two teams. But, challenging this game might seem doesn’t mean that we are going to drop our guard. We respect UWC as a technically gifted side, but once we cross the whitewash, it will be a war zone.”
Chikonyora adds the team will be well-prepared for the regional championship.
“We leave for Malawi on August 13 in the absence of any regional engagements we are confident in the preparations that we have put up since we started the league. We have met tough oppositions, and the league authorities have also assisted in arranging games against Select sides, which has all come in handy for the girls, and believe more games are still going to be arranged,” added Chikonyora.
“After playing against the select side, we had inquiries from people advising us to add a few exciting girls into our squad, but I doubt that we will be making any changes to the list that we submitted for these games. We will bring the trophy home that’s our target.”
One of the key players for the side will be striker Maud Mafuruse, who is confident they can deliver on their promise to lift the trophy.
“What I have learnt over the years is that experience also means responsibility, so looking at our team we have a number of raw players who are yet to play beyond Zimbabwe,” Mafuruse was quoted by The Herald.
“I am very happy that we will be playing at such a stage, it is a privilege to be one of the few people to ever get an opportunity to represent your club and the nation at such levels.
“It will be our role as seniors who have international experience to lead the team; I know I am expected to do a lot. Because I am not vocal, I will have to let my feet do the talking.
“I have scored for the Mighty Warriors before, and I understand how it feels up there, my hope is that I will bang goals for my club, or at least create and assist others.”
Two-time regional and continental champions Mamelodi Sundowns will be absent from the competition as they qualify for CAF Women’s Champions League automatically as holders. That may open the door for Queens.
“The absence of Sundowns should work to our advantage, not that we are underestimating any team, but mentally it is weighing to know you are to face such a big name,” Mafuruse said.
“We are looking forward to a top two finish and right now we are using our local games as preparations.
“When we were crowned as league champions last season, we knew we had to expect these games so as a player, you also take that time to prepare and motivate yourself mentally and physically.”