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Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
MORE tournaments for women football could improve the technical ability of the players, enabling them to compete at a higher level, former Mighty Warriors’ technical director, Barry Daka has said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the LM Auctioneers Women’s International Tournament that kicked off yesterday at Harstfield Rugby Grounds, Daka commended the gesture by LM director, Lewis Muzhara to bankroll the tourney saying more such events were needed to lift up the game.
He said lack of game time could have negatively affected the Mighty Warriors’ performance in their international and continental excursions they took part in, at the Olympics in Rio, Brazil and recently in Cameroon, in the Africa Women Cup of Nations.
“I think we have a lot of talent but practice alone cannot sharpen it we need more competitions like this one and it would be great if more people come on board and fund more such tournaments,” said Daka.
The tournament was, however, not kind to Bulawayo sides, Inline Academy and Hearts of Oak, who were sent packing in the first round after failing to score a single goal in all their matches.
The tourney had two groups and one had four teams while the other was made up of three after the withdrawal of Botswana side, Double Action at the last minute.
Black Rhinos and Blue Swallows topped Group A, qualifying for the semi-finals scheduled for today while Botswana’s Township Rollers and Chipembere progressed to the next stage from Group B.
Rhinos takes on Chipembere in the semis while Swallows square off against Rollers this morning.
Zimbabwe National Army side, Rhinos got their revenge against Inline Academy, who had defeated them in their last meeting, the NetOne Charity Shield in 2014, when they beat the Bulawayo side 4-0 in the opening match.
Rhinos finished top Group A after beating Flame Lily 3-0 and drawing against Swallows (0-0) while Swallows were second after beating Inline and finishing one all against Flame Lily.
Flame Lily were third on four points as they won against Inline, who finished bottom as they lost all their games.
In Group B Rollers finished on top after thrashing Hearts of Oak 7-0 before getting a point from Chipembere after their tie finished goalless. Chipembere made it to the semis without scoring a goal as they played two goalless draws.
Street Set and Highlanders Royals are set to curtain raise for the final this afternoon after the third place play-off.
Muzhara reaffirmed his commitment to women football saying he will continue supporting the development of the game.
Bulawayo-based New Orleans has won it twice, the inaugural edition and second year while Rhinos clinched it in 2012.
Online Reporter