MIGHTY WARRIORS AT THE OLYMPICS: Zimbabwe’s moment of pride

When the first 11 of the gallant Mighty Warriors ladies crosses the line today at the Corinthians Arena in Rio De Janeiro, history will be made.

For the first time since the Golden Girls of 1980, a representative team of any sport will play for Zimbabwe at the Olympics. The first team of ANY sport.

True to form, our history at the Olympics is often made by women from the successes of the Golden Girls in 1980 to the heroic achievements of Kirsty Coventry.

Cue the Mighty Warriors and this is why it is a big deal.

Zimbabwe has been involved in the Olympics at every turn since then and these women will be one of 12 teams from across the world to kick a ball in anger. Out of 204 National Olympic Committees across the world, Zimbabwe gets to send a team that qualified for the summer games.

Women’s soccer has only been at the Olympics since 1996. Our girls are there. This is a BIG DEAL.

Ranked 93rd in the World (13th Africa), Zimbabwe is under no illusion about its chances against Germany, the number 2 team in the world.

However, at 11pm Zimbabwe time on Wednesday, they go in as equals against the two-time world champions. Or girls have earned the right to play on one of the greatest stages in the world.

Whatever happens, it is Zimbabwe’s moment of pride.

Today, we crouch, kneel, break out into rhythmic clapping punctuated by loud roars and screams for this traveling players:

Kudakwashe Bhasopo, Eunice Chibanda, Chido Dzingirai, Erina Jeke, Daisy Kaitano, Rejoice Kapfumvuti, Lindiwe Magwede, Rutendo Makore, Sheila Makoto, Talent Mandaza, Emmaculate Msipa, Lynett Mutokuto, Felistas Muzongondi, Rudo Neshamba, Marjory Nyaumwe, Samkelisiwe Zulu, Mavis Chirandu, Nobuhle Majika.

And to the technical team:

Shadreck Mlauzi (head coach), Sithethelelwe Sibanda (assistant coach), Yohane Chikaola (assistant coach), Peter Masibera (goalkeeper’s coach), Dorothy Masawi (doctor), Sharon Mashingaidze (physiotherapist), Charity Mudzviti (manager).

Catch the girls on SuperSport 9 on Wednesday at 11pm for their game against Germany. The second match is against Canada at 8pm on the 6th and finally against Australia on the 9th at 8pm.