HERENTALS Queens have embraced their underdog status and worked hard in their debut African Safari.
The Zimbabwe representatives in the CAF Women’s Champions League Cosafa Qualifiers defied the odds to qualify for the tournament’s semifinals. On Thursday they will play against Botswana champions and Group B leaders Gaborone United at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre, Malawi, at 12 pm.
Herentals Women’s head coach Simbarashe Dedza described the feeling of reaching the semis as pride and joy.
“It’s a mix of emotions, including elation, which is uncontrollable joy and excitement, knowing that we have exceeded expectations. We can talk of pride, that sense of accomplishment, knowing that we have made history as debutants,” Dedza told News Online.
“There’s also relief from overcoming the pressure and stress of performing well in a high-stakes tournament. At the same time, there’s shock and disbelief that we have reached this stage, surpassing more experienced teams like Zambia. It gives us validation, the confirmation that our hard work, dedication, and team spirit have paid off.”
The impact of this milestone for Herentals has been immeasurable and the team will never be the same again after this tournament.
“The qualification has given us an anticipation and eagerness to face the next challenge and continue with the tournament. It has helped with team bonding as it has strengthened camaraderie knowing that we have achieved this together,” added Dedza.
“It has also generated excitement within our fans, increased our fan base, and delighted our supporters who are thrilled to see their team succeed. Recognition has come along as well. We have gained respect from opponents, officials, and the wider tournament community. More importantly, it will serve as inspiration, motivating others within our underdog story and showing that anything is possible. We can do more, and we are one step closer to the final.”
Herentals stumbled in their final Group A match against the University of the Western Cape, losing 2-1 and sliding to second place on the table.
“Losing is an opportunity to learn, grow, and come back stronger, so it’s a valuable experience that can make the mentality stronger. It has helped us to identify areas of improvement and taught us resilience and character because bouncing back from defeat can strengthen team cohesion and individual resolve,” said Dedza.
“We must learn from our mistakes and understand what went wrong. In hindsight, this will improve strategy as we adjust tactics and strategies. It is also vital for players’ development, where individuals can learn from their mistakes and work on personal growth.”
Herentals’ assistant coach for the Malawi tournament, Lazarus Magaya, has set ambitious goals as the technical department plans to make it to the final.
“We have conducted opponent analysis, tactical adjustments, player preparation, worked on team cohesion, and planned set pieces during our day off from active competition. We also did defensive solidity drills, counter-attacking plans in quick transitions, as well as flexibility, mental preparation, and contingency planning,” said Magaya.
“More importantly, we have embraced the underdog role as debutants to our advantage, leveraging the element of surprise. We lined up plans and tactics during the camp to gain an advantage over our opponents. Our goal is to reach the finals and win the tournament. We are looking at gaining experience, proving our doubters wrong, and making a statement that establishes the team as a force to be reckoned with in the future. We want to enjoy the journey, savor the experience, learn from mistakes, and enjoy the ride.”
Group A winners, the University of the Western Cape, will meet Eswatini’s Young Buffaloes in the second semifinal set for 3 pm. The winner of the tournament gets to play in the Women’s CAF Champions League final against reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
