Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze in POLOKWANE, South Africa
Eswatini . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Zimbabwe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
ZIMBABWE’S Mighty Warriors arrived in South Africa on a mission to reclaim their influence in the COSAFA Women’s Championship.
And a convincing show against Eswatini in their Group B opener at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, was just the kind of flying start Zimbabwe needed to remind their opponents at the regional tourney that they are back and they mean business.
For a side whose players are still in the off-season in the Zimbabwe Women’s Premier Soccer League, fitness levels were always going to provide some questions.
But the Mighty Warriors made up for that deficiency by being rich in tactics, technique and football intelligence as they outclassed their opponents through Praynance Zvawanda and the ageless Rutendo Makore’s goals in either half, respectively.
Fine striker Zvawanda broke the deadlock in the 36th minute when she headed home off a Christabel Katona cross.
That goal swung the pendulum in the Mighty Warriors’ favour, as they found confidence to unlock what had appeared to be a well-oiled and stubborn Eswatini.
Largely holding on to possession, the Mighty Warriors were more calculative in their play, countlessly tempting the opponents’ backline also they could not convert the countless chances they created up to the breather.
After the breather, Zimbabwe coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15’’ Sibanda made some tactical changes, introducing the seasoned Makore, who is also a former COSAFA Cup top goal scorer.
With Makore upfront, the Zimbabweans had stability, and her presence, also gave the midfield enough room to shut out Eswatini and cut their supply upfront.
After cutting supply, the opponents became disoriented, failing to win their long ball upfront and the duels, giving Sibanda’s charges freedom to control the game for Makore to find the second goal for Zimbabwe.
The Mighty Warriors then shut it down with discipline, organisation, and a renewed spirit that carried them over the line.
As pressure mounted, Eswatini buckled, and they were reduced to 10-men following a handball foul by defender Ncedo Gamenze, in a “punishment” that compounded their woes as they failed to recover up to full-time.
“We need to be able to manage the game so we noted that our opponents had speedy forwards hence they played long balls and used speed to try and breach our defence,” Sibanda said.
“So, we had to congest the middle of the park for us to be able to cut their supply, and the moment we did that, they were disoriented, and we got a goal.
“Then Makore came in with some stability and experience upfront, so it gave our midfield and backline enough room to shut out Eswatini forwards, and the moment we did that, we got total control of the game, and another goal came.”
Vice-captain Katona was crowned Man of the Match.
Sibanda admitted that with her team not up to full fitness, she had to play a cautious game to protect her charges.
She said the win comes as a confidence booster heading into their game against defending champions Zambia on Sunday.
However, it is rookies Bethel Kondo, Anita Ncube and Mcgirl Spini who impressed Sibanda after being handed their senior national team caps.
“I am very happy with the way they played, they are relatively new players and this was their first competition after the friendlies we played in December.
“Now I have confidence that our future is good and that in terms of depth we are okay because we do not have full fitness, then we need enough depth to be able to manage our games.”
The tournament got underway on Wednesday, bringing together 11 nations to battle for silverware.
For Zambia, hosts South Africa and Malawi, the showpiece is also preparation for their CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for Morocco in March.
