19 February 2022
Jeremiah Harrison
Sports Reporter
It was yet another disappointing football result after Zimbabwe senior women’s football team ‘Mighty Warriors’ lost to Botswana in an Africa Women’s Cup Of Nations qualifiers.
Sithethelelwe Sibanda coached side Mighty Warriors lost 3-1 to the visitors in a match played at the giant National Sports Stadium in Harare on Friday afternoon.
The visitors opened the scoring in the early minutes of the second half. Batswana took the lead in the 47th minute after Lesego Radikanyo capitalised from miscommunication among Zimbabwe’s backline.
The visitors were not comfortable with just a goal they sought for more to secure their win. In the 78th minute they converted another chance to a second goal of the match.
There was hope from the Mighty Warriors after they managed to pull one back with a goal from Privilege Mupeti.
The visitors denied Zimbabwe an equaliser instead they added vinegar to the wound after scoring a third goal in the dying minutes of the match. It ended 3-1 in favour of the visitors Botswana.
Africa Women Cup of Nations is an international women’s football competition held every two years and sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
It was first contested in 1991, but was not held biennially until 1998. Nigeria is the most successful nation in the tournament’s history, having won a record 11 titles, meaning they have won all but two of the previous tournaments. The two tournaments not won by Nigeria were both won by Equatorial Guinea.
Is It Time Up for Ariel Sibanda?
Bulawayo giants Highlanders FC veteran goaltender and team’s captain Ariel Sibanda dismissed rumors about his retirement from football.
Sibanda is one of the Bosso senior players and longest serving member of the club as a goalkeeper.
Statements concerning the retirement of the veteran goalkeeper came after Amahlolanyama brought in former TelOne young goalkeeper to the team during the January’s transfer window, Raphael Pitisi.
Once Ariel Sibanda gained ground in the team and has become first choice goalkeeper for a long period of time, he has faced rivals in the team for the jersey but it seems experience beats all.
Ariel Sibanda pointed out that, from fans’ point of view they assume that he did not have challenges in the battle for the number one jersey at Highlanders but he broke silence when he mentioned some of the goalkeepers who gave him hard time.
He said “I have had challenges from some goalkeepers such as Munyaradzi Diya and Njabulo Ncube but sometimes in football there is lucky and we all need that luck in football.”
In a side interview with Zim GBC News at the pre-match press conference held on Thursday Ariel Sibanda dismissed the claims.
“The young goalkeeper Raphael is very good. He has got a chance to take over from me and carry on with the team, as for hanging up the gloves I will see as time goes on.” said Sibanda.
Sibanda has only played for the Bulawayo giants Highlanders Football Club since joining them in 2008 as a junior player before being promoted into the senior team in 2009 after the first choice goalie Washington Arubi had left Bosso for their arch rivals Dynamos Football Club. He started playing football whilst doing Form 2 at High School and he played for all age groups (U15, U17 and U20) at School. He has also played for the Zimbabwe U23 team before being affected by age and also played for the senior national team for several years.
Ariel Sibanda has 3 full caps for the Zimbabwe national team and he was on the bench in one match he was called up for.
With Bosso Sibanda has won the Chibuku Super Cup, Mbada Diamonds Cup in 2013, Castle Larger Goalkeeper of The year in 2019 among other awards.
Zim GBC News