Herentals Queens bow out

Tadious Manyepo in BLANTYRE, Malawi

Gaborone United………………………………………(0)1

Herentals Queens…………………………………………0

WASTEFUL Herentals Queens were made to pay dearly for their lack of cutting edge after bowing out of the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifier with this narrow semi-final defeat at Mpira Stadium here yesterday.

The Zimbabweans, underdogs before the start of the tournament, had been progressing well and were expected to clinch this one and book a place in tomorrow’s final.

But they appeared hesitant to go for their usual in-your-face approach and instead played into the hands of their opponents.

Gaborone United who were minutes from bowing out in the group stages appeared content with absorbing pressure right from the first whistle as they hoped to take the game to the penalty lottery.

But after asking the most questions and failing to get the breakthrough, Herentals Queens would eventually lose concentration, just when it mattered most, and concede a late goal through Yaone Modise that proved to be the decider.

Yet Herentals Queens, making a dream debut at this constest, threw a lot of bodies forward in the early minutes and Maudy Mafuruse, usually reliable in front of goal, ought to have done better when set up by Praynence Zvawanda inside the opening five minutes.

The speedster though shot straight to Tlamelo Pheresi in goals for Gaborone United.

Perhaps with a game plan to go for an early goal in mind, Vagoni Vebasa were mostly rushing things with Mafuruse wrestling clear 10 minutes after her missed chance but she went for glory instead of going for square.

The more chances Herentals Queens fluffed their chances, the more Gaborone United became comfortable and they too started to enjoy the game.

Resultantly, the game became concentrated more in midfield with less spaces for creativity in opposite thirds.

Herentals Queens coach Lazarus Magaya replaced the ineffective Praynence Zvawanda with Melody Chikore at the break but the latter did little to change the game for the better.

Polite Mabika should have done much better than skying her effort when set by Shyline Dambamuromo inside the box at the hour mark.

Defender Egness Tumbare’s goal-bound header was cleared by an alert Gaborone United defender to all but sum up the day’s frustration for Vagoni Vebasa.

Magaya applauded his girls for their fighting spirit.

“We reached the semis through sheer determination and hard work.

“It was a game that we could have easily won but we failed to make use of our chances,” said Magaya.

“I really appreciate the girls for their work ethic. It was their first international exposure and they fight until the last four.

“That means a lot and we are really grateful for the support we have received from Zimbabweans at home and those in Malawi.”

Club president Innocent Benza watched the match from the terraces and hailed the girls for their hard work before he returned home in time for Herentals’ Castle Lager Premiership home match against Greenfuel at Rufaro tomorrow.