malvernmugadzikwa
Tadious Manyepo in BLANTYRE, Malawi
Green Buffaloes ………………………… 0
Herentals Queens ………………….. (0)1
HERENTALS QUEENS are one game away from the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifier semi-finals after a key victory against Green Buffaloes of Zambia at Mpira Stadium here yesterday.
Enjoying a superior goal difference against Green Buffaloes as they jointly led Group A with three points each, the Zimbabweans needed to at least avoid defeat against the seasoned campaigners to remain in control of the pool.
But they went a notch up, delivering a polished act that effectively downed a battling giant in a tight and tense contest.
Red-hot striker Maudy Mafuruse scored the only goal of the match right on the hour mark.
The Students can now seal a semi-final berth if they keep Western Cape University of South Africa at bay in their final group game tomorrow.
The South African side, who lost their first game 1-0 against Green Buffaloes, kept themselves in contention when putting Namibia’s FC Ongos to the cleaners in a match played late on.
That means Herentals Queens, Green Buffaloes and Western Cape all have a chance to qualify to the last four, where the top two from each of the two groups will progress.
But there is no doubt Herentals Queens hold the aces, especially after doing themselves such a huge favour by brushing aside one of the pre-tournament favourites yesterday.
It was a stocky and effective style that won them the three points yesterday as the teams threw equal blows with equal venom.
But Herentals Queens are a group of fighters who put their bodies on the line for the win.
Buffaloes asked the early questions, with Vanessa Chikupila looking dangerous on the left, but Bridget Mutaurwa and player-of-the-match Egness Tumbare were equal to the task.
With the Zambians trying to bombard the Herentals Queens goal, the Zimbabweans instead took the game to their opponents.
Twenty minutes into the contest, Polite Mabika muddled through goal and with only the goalkeeper Aisha Mbwana to beat, she smashed her effort into her sprawling body.
That was a big chance and it looked like they would pay dearly for missing it when Evarine Katongo launched a swerving howitzer that razed through Lindiwe Magwede’s upright post.
The game was at this stage generally balanced and neither team could afford to slip up.
This saw play resultantly being concentrated more in the middle.
But Herentals Queens moved a gear up in the second half, Praynence Zvawanda getting another clear chance, but, like Mabika in the first, she hit it straight at Mbwana.
Mafuruse should also have stuck her right far enough to poke the ball home, but she was hesitant when set up by the impressive Shyline Dambamuromo, who should be applauded for a clearance off the line towards the end of the opening stanza.
Then the moment Herentals were waiting for arrived.
Left-back Alice Moyo flighted a perfect corner that beat the Green Buffaloes defenders and found Mafuruse, who connected home with her right.
She should have headed a second 10 minutes before time, but she decided not to risk a diving header off a Zvawanda cross.
Herentals Queens coach Lazarus Magaya hailed his charges after the match.
“I am very impressed with my team. It was a game that we knew was going to be very difficult. It proved to be just like that, but I am happy we got what we wanted exactly the way we wanted it,” he said.
“We have a lot to do to qualify, but I am very happy we have put ourselves right in a good situation.”
Teams
Herentals Queens: Lindiwe Magwede, Bridget Mutaurwa, Alice Moyo, Egness Tumbare, Talent Mukwanda, Yeukai Chipatiko (Melody Chikore, 73min), Shyline Dambamuromo, Nyasha Munemo (Millanda Chimbwanda, 54min), Praynence Zvawanda, Maudy Mafuruse, Polite Mabika
Green Buffaloes: Aisha Mbwana, Esther Siamfuko, Memory Nthala, Esther Banda, Atness Phiri, Maylan Mulenga, Evarine Katongo, Vanessa Chikupila (Natasha Nanyangwe, 36min), Hellen Chanda, Labasi Pumulo (Pauline Zulu, 46min), Maweta Chilenga (Agness Phiri, 46min)
Online Reporter