Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
HERENTALS Queens are clinging to belief as they head into their final Caf Women’s Champions League Cosafa qualifier group match on Wednesday.
The Zimbabwean champions are walking a tightrope after losing their Group C opener 2–0 to Mozambique’s Costa do Sol in Johannesburg on Saturday. With only the group winners guaranteed a place in the semi-finals, Herentals must secure a big win against Olympic de Moroni and hope other results go in their favour.
For now, all eyes are on Costa do Sol’s clash with Olympic de Moroni this afternoon. If the Comoros outfit manage an upset, Irene Mwanza’s side would have a clear route to the top of the group — provided they score heavily against Moroni.
Even if Costa do Sol win today, Herentals could still sneak into the last four as the best second-placed team across the groups, but that would require a convincing victory on Wednesday.
According to Cosafa’s regulations, the best runners-up will be determined first by points, then goal difference, followed by goals scored, and finally fair play records. For Group A, which has four teams, the bottom side’s results will be discarded before calculations are made.
It’s a complex puzzle, but Mwanza is refusing to let hope slip. I am still very much positive about our prospects. We lapsed in our opener, but we will regroup and be able to beat Moroni on Wednesday. The girls are now very much composed and I know they will deliver,” said the Herentals coach.
For Vagoni Vebasa, the path is narrow, but as long as the door remains open, belief is their strongest weapon.
