Herentals Queens ready for regional conquest in CA...

Herentals Queens ready for regional conquest in CAF Champions league qualifiers

Philemon Jambaya

Zim Now Editor

Zimbabwe's representatives in the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifier, are leaving nothing to chance as they set their sights on winning the tournament scheduled for Johannesburg, South Africa, from August 22 to 31. After a close call in the semi-finals last year, the Harare-based club is determined to go a step further and return home with the prestigious trophy.

The Students, as they are affectionately known, have been drawn in Group C of the regional qualifiers, where they will face off against CD Costa do Sol of Mozambique and Olympic de Moroni of Comoros. The top team in each of the three groups, along with the best second-placed side, will advance to the semi-finals, with only the tournament winner securing a ticket to the main CAF Women’s Champions League finals.

Herentals Queens head coach, Simbarashe Dedza, expressed confidence in his team's preparations but stressed the need to remain focused. "We’re determined to do our best and claim the trophy," Dedza said. "We are preparing well, and we’re not underrating any team. Each team is a champion in their own league, and we’ll need to be at our best to succeed."

To bolster their squad for the continental challenge, the club has secured the services of two talented players from Faith Drive Queens Academy: Bethel Kondo and Polite Dzuremba. The duo has joined the team on a loan deal for the remainder of the season, adding depth and quality to the squad.

Herentals Queens' last campaign saw them make a strong run, reaching the semi-finals before a narrow 1-0 defeat to Gaborone United of Botswana ended their hopes. This year, they are banking on that experience and their strengthened lineup to make a more successful bid for the coveted trophy. They will kick off their campaign on August 23 against CD Costa do Sol at the University of Johannesburg's AW Muller Stadium.