ZIMBABWE representative in the African Safari, Herentals Queens, is thrilled to explore an exciting adventure following the draw of the Caf Women's Champions League Cosafa Qualifiers draw this week.
The Lady Students were drawn into Group A together with FC Ongos Ladies of Namibia, South Africa's University of Western Cape (UWC), and Green Buffaloes Women's Football Club of Zambia for the mid-August tournament set for Malawi's Mpira Stadium.
They depart for the games on August 13 and kick off their campaign two days later against FC Ongos at noon. A date against Green Buffaloes follows on August 17 and wind off their group stage against UWC of South Africa.
Herentals Queens manager Shylet Chikonyora while conceding they have been placed in a challenging group is optimistic they will punch above their weight.
"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 manouvre and bring home positive results," 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."
Herentals had wanted to take their preparations to South Africa but it is increasingly looking unlikely with invitation documents stalling from the intended host.
"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.
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"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."
Herentals will be making their Caf Women's debut after finishing first in the Zimbabwe Women's Soccer League. Only Black Rhinos Queens have represented the country before at this Caf stage.
