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Tadious Manyepo in BLANTYRE, Malawi
HERENTALS QUEENS are looking to hand themselves a huge advantage when they face seasoned campaigners and Zambian giants Green Buffaloes in their second game of the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifiers at Mpira Stadium this afternoon.
The match kicks-off at noon.
Debutants Herentals, buoyed by their convincing opening day 3-1 win over Namibian side FC Ongos, top the Group A standings, courtesy of a better goal difference over Green Buffaloes.
Given the manner in which games are coming thick and fast and within 48 hours of each other, Herentals yesterday did a recovery session from Thursday’s match and ahead of this afternoon’s assignment.
There was also good news in their camp yesterday after the pair of defenders Egness Tumbare and Bridget Mutaurwa, who hobbled off with injuries on Thursday were certified fit.
Herentals assistant coach Tsungai Mudzamiri said the girls are geared for the match, in which they will be underdogs.
“I am very happy that we managed to stick to our game plan and won our first match against FC Ongos yesterday (on Thursday),” said Mudzamiri.
“That was the plan and it worked. The next objective is to throw everything in the game against Green Buffaloes in our next game.
“That is never an easy assignment as we will be facing a seasoned team in this competition.
“They (Green Buffaloes) have been in this tournament so many times and even won it at one point. That’s the calibre of the team that we are going to be facing.
“But with three points in the bag, we won’t be putting ourselves under any pressure. We know we have to get the maximum points and boost our chances of progressing to the semi-finals.
“If we win against Green Buffaloes, we will almost be there. But we need all our faculties in this game.”
Mudzamiri said his girls also needed to concentrate.
“I normally don’t have any challenge with the girls in terms of concentration.
“We are a team that is used to winning consistently, but look, this is a different stage. I have told my players to keep eyes on the ball. It’s all about keeping the focus for the entire 90 minutes.
“We know what the girls can do and we are very confident they will deliver for us. We are not just representing Herentals here, we are also “representing the country.
“So, we want to throw everything that we have in this match because it’s like the group decider.”
Midfielder Shyline Dambamuromo acknowledged that Green Buffaloes are a force, but said her teammates were prepared for them.
“We are in Malawi for business. We are not here to spectate, but to compete.
“The mood in the camp is up there and that is a very positive sign.
“We are a group of highly-motivated players who cannot afford to lose concentration in key moments.
“We need to fight, fight and fight. We know it won’t be an easy game but we will do everything to get a result,” said Dambamuromo.
Online Reporter