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Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter
MIGHTY Warriors coach, Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda, has saluted her charges after an impressive show in the first round of the Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifiers.
They progressed to the last qualifying round after a 6-1 aggregate victory over Eswatini.
A 3-0 win in the reverse encounter, in Manzini, completed the demolition exercise.
They will face Botswana, who crushed Angola 7-1 on aggregate, in their qualifier.
“It was a balanced performance overall, we are grateful to God for the win and well done to the players for putting up a good fight,” Sibanda said.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will be held in Morocco next July with 12 teams taking part.
Going into Tuesday’s game, the Mighty Warriors coach made two changes to the starting line-up.
Danai Bhobho started ahead of Shyline Dambamuromo and Cynthia Shonga was in goals.
She replaced Lindiwe Magwede.
“There was just a few days between the first and second leg, at times you need to bring a few fresh pair of legs, just to manage the energy systems,’’ said Sibanda.
“It was a team performance at the end of the day.’’
After their first battle, at the National Sports Stadium last week, Sibanda said there were some improvements, from the team, since their appearance, at this year’s COSAFA Championships.
She will be hoping for better preparations, ahead of the final qualifying round, as she said competition will now go a notch higher.
“Obviously, in the last qualifying round, the games get tougher. So, we will liaise with the office on how best we will prepare,” said Sibanda.
The Mighty Warriors last played at the African tournament five years ago.
They missed the 2018 edition of the tourney, when they lost to Zambia, in the final qualifying round.
The 2020 edition was called off due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Online Reporter