The Zimbabwe Women's Football Super League which will be wholly sponsored by Marange Resources will now commence on June 2 with 10 teams participating. The league will be running for the second year after its inception last year and this year all the clubs would have fewer financial challenges as the sponsorship will cater for the direct costs involved in running of the league.
The club chairpersons met Marange officials for a briefing last week in the capital, where the whole package was unveiled, with the sponsors tabling the expense they would meet.
Harare sides Black Rhinos, Cyclone, Flame Lily and Mufakose, Bulawayo sides Inline Academy and New Orleans, Chipembere from Gweru, Faith Drive from Mutare and Guruve-based Conduit Soccer Academy will battle it out.
Yesterday, Zimbabwe Women's Football administrator Theresa Maguraushe said all is set for the start of the league and all the clubs are looking forward to an exciting season.
"It was a meeting between Marange and all the club representatives. The sponsors are going to cater for transport for away teams, accommodation and meals.
"They are also going to provide two playing kits, a home and away strip, for every team as well as ten match balls for each team. The sponsor will also cater for the match officials' fees and travelling expenses. And they have already paid for the production of player licenses," said Maguraushe.
Marange have declined to divulge the total sponsorship package and the prize money for the winning club and runners up.All the clubs are also going to benefit from their participation in the league.
There are also individual awards for the players -Goalkeeper of the Year, Most Disciplined Player, Rookie of the Year, Golden Boot and the Most Disciplined Team.
The administrator added that all the clubs pledged to be professional and will guard jealously the Marange sponsorship- which is the first of its kind in women's football.
"The club officials had a face-to-face with the sponsor and expressed their gratitude for having such a sponsorship and promised that they would abide by the rules and regulations of the league.
"Last year there were a few hiccups because the clubs were struggling to remain viable. But there won't be problems with fulfilling matches this season.
"We expect the league to run on a weekly basis and we have factored in important assignments like the National Youth Games and national team assignments and the league will break for these tournaments," said Maguraushe.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe senior women's soccer team, the Mighty Warriors, have been boosted by the return of veteran defender Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri from a three-month trial stint at Swedish club Kalmar.
Mighty Warriors assistant coach Yohane Chikaola said the left back is expected to arrive today and join her teammates in camp.
"We don't know whether she has made the grade at the club but we are happy to have her for this crucial match and it is a boost for us. We need to be at our best when we face Nigeria and the girls have been working really hard.
"Rufaro (Machingura), who was on the injury list, has started training while Rudo (Neshamba), who missed the friendly match against Tanzania, is also back at training," said Chikaola.
The Cyclone Queens coach said the veteran pair of Precious "Gringo" Mpala and Pretty Phiri - who have also been called into the squad - are in good shape.
"They have been working with our fitness trainer and he is the one doing the assessment on their fitness. They are in great shape and have added competition to the team. We played SR Villa on Sunday and tomorrow we will play our last warm up match against Sprouting Club. Since we returned from Tanzania we have been working on conditioning with Gerald Maguranyanga as we need to be really fit when we face Nigeria.
"We began tactical training this morning and come Sunday we should be ready for Nigeria. We know their profile but we believe to be the best we have to beat the best," said Chikaola.
By Grace Chingoma
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