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Grace Chingoma
Senior Sports Reporter
Black Rhinos Queens……….(0)2
Green Buffaloes……………..0
BLACK Rhinos Queens are well on course to advance to the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League COSAFA qualifiers after a stunning victory yesterday.
The army side won their opening Group B match, at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban, South Africa, yesterday.
The army side now just need a point, from tomorrow’s match against Namibian side TURA Magic, to book a place in the last four.
Rhinos Queens made history by becoming the first local women’s team to participate in the inaugural CAF Champions League regional qualifiers.
The COSAFA tournament winner will join the winners, from other regions, at the CAF Champions League finals in Egypt, later in the year.
Rhinos Queens are in Group B, which has three teams, while Group A has four teams.
The top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals.
The army side had a decent performance, against one of the tournaments favourites, Zambian champions Green Buffaloes.
Rhinos Queens got the opener through on-loan Correctional Queens midfielder, Marjoury Nyaumwe, at the stroke of the hour.
The Mighty Warriors star headed home a good cross from substitute Mavis Chirandu, who barely had been on the field, for two minutes.
Chirandu was involved in the second goal, when she started the move from the flank, which was finished off by Christabel Katona, in the 73rd minute.
Rutendo “Madzimai” Makore was voted the player-of-the-match.
The Mighty Warriors forward dedicated the victory to fellow players, who contracted Covid-19, and were forced to remain home.
Green Buffaloes have some players, who were at the Tokyo Olympics, playing for Zambia.
But, Covid-19 ruled some of their stars out of action.
Rhinos Queens were forced to go to the tournament with just one goalkeeper, after some of their players, tested positive to Covid-19.
Coach Kuda Matuwi was pleased with his charges, considering they last played competitive football in 2019, when they won the league.
“It was very difficult to prepare for the tournament. We last played football in 2019 and only got an exemption a few weeks before we came here,’’ he said.
‘‘So, match fitness was not at the expected level.
“For the first 15 minutes, we were a bit jittery but we managed to settle and started playing our normal football.
“They still need to rectify some mistakes but three points count at a tournament where one wants to progress.
“Our opponents were good but didn’t utilise chances, their wide players were not so effective.’’
Buffaloes Queens coach, Carol Kanyemba, said it was an unexpected outcome.
“Definitely, not the result we were hoping to get. We conceded through set-pieces but upfront we were blunt,’’ she said.
‘‘We have lots of coaching moments from this match, we have to work on our strikeforce and make sure they create chances.
“Our club was just training and didn’t have competitive matches as most of the players were in Tokyo.’’
Action continues in Group A today with Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies hosting Botswana side Double Action.
Lesotho Defence Forces take on Manzini Wanderers.
Teams
Black Rhinos Queens: P. Mudyiwa, N. Mpofu, P. Mujuru, T. Mandaza, E. Chibanda (F. Muzongondi 86th min), M. Nyaumwe, C. Katona, R. Makore, C. Madotsa (P. Mupeti 66th min), R. Neshamba (Mavis Chirandu 60th min), E. Tumbare.
Green Buffaloes: Mbama, M. Mulenga, Tembo, Phiri, Chama, Musase, Chewe, Nkhatha, Zulu,Benai, Pumulo.
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