Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo in NDOLA, Zambia
MIGHTY Warriors striker Ethel “Halaand” Chinyerere underlined her growing status as a go-to player when her master-class second half performance helped Zimbabwe roll over Lesotho in the semi-final of the 4 Nations Women’s Championship here on Saturday.
Zimbabwe are part of the ongoing friendly contest during the current FIFA window, trying to drag up the rankings and expose the girls to constant competition.
While Zambia and Kenya are taking this platform to ready themselves for the 2026 WAFCON finals coming up next month in Morocco, the Mighty Warriors are shaping up for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics that kick-off in September.
That is the reason why all the participants in this 4 Nations tournament have brought their full-strength squads.
And for Zimbabwe, beating Lesotho to book a final berth was a priority.
But it never came on a platter, with the Mehalalitoe mounting a strong resistance that even threatened to break down the Mighty Warriors.
As things looked tougher and more twisted, coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda turned to her lethal piece Chinyerere.
Everyone in the stadium had been proclaiming for her introduction, not least, as the former Chapungu Queens forward is making her baby steps in the Zambian top-flight having recently joined giants Green Buffaloes.
When she came on, the stadium erupted, maybe too loud, for her to give a corresponding performance.
But Chinyerere showed just how important she has become to the Zimbabwe national team with one of her finest shows in history.
Her magic turned the game around for the Mighty Warriors, who until the break had been pegged back by a team ranked 57 places below them.
But her half-time introduction changed the face of it all with her sheer speed and predatory instincts seeing her score once and providing the other and helping Zimbabwe walk away 3-1 winners.
They will now play hosts Zambia, who beat Kenya 4-2 on penalties after their game had ended in a 1-1 in regulation time.
“It was hard, but I am happy we managed to pull it through,” she said.
“The match was nervy. You saw even in the initial stages when I came through, it was never easy.
“But I am happy at the end of the day that I managed to implement what the coach had told me to do when I came on.
“We were seated right there, on the bench, I was studying the match with the help of the technical team.
“It was a bit easier for me because we already knew what was supposed to be done.
“I would also like to compliment my teammates for their never-die spirit.
“The game was not easy, but the girls knew which boxes needed to be ticked.
“When things got tougher, we found a way to dig deeper, and we won.”
Sibanda celebrated the victory over Lesotho, saying Chinyerere’s introduction was the turning point.
“We started with the youngsters who have the determination and ambition,” said Sibanda.
“They carried themselves well in that match, doing what we expected them to do; pressing high and moving the ball around fast.
“They were only let down by their lack of composure in front of goal.
“That’s the reason I had to introduce experience, which Chinyerere and the others carry.
“I am happy they managed to polish things up and here we are.”
Sibanda yesterday took her charges through some recovery session as they shifted their focus to the final against Zambia.
She knows the Copper Queens are solid, but Sibanda is confident she will be able to lead her girls to victory against a quality Zambian side boasting globally acclaimed talent in the mould of Rachael Kundananji and Ireene Lungu among others.
