adminedged Tunisia in a rather dull affair at Sheikh Zayed Stadium last night.
The victory means Zimbabwe are still on course to win the Cup as they have accumulated four points and will now be hoping that the hosts, the Pharaohs, lose or draw when they play Tunisia tomorrow so that they take home the trophy.
Mighty Warriors stand in captain Tsitsi Mairosi scored the solitary goal just after 10 minutes when she left her marker for dead, drove the ball and fired into the net.
Although the victory saw the Mighty Warriors bouncing back to winning ways after going for four matches without a win, they conspired to play boring football, operating in fits and starts despite the support from the Zimbabwean students studying at universities in Cairo and the embassy officials.
Coach Rosemary Mugadza – in charge of her first game since joining the team on Tuesday – was not amused with the way her troops carried on their business especially the strikers and had to pull out the first choice strike duo of Rudo Neshamba and Violet Bepete in the second half as she sought firepower.
“The first half we did not play our normal game and were hurrying our efforts.
“All the players were just hurriedly taking their chances and that is not the way we play.
“The assessment from the technical team is that this team was better than Egypt.
” At least all the teams gave us the good preparations we need for next year qualifiers. But I am not happy with our strike force. Rudo and Violet let us down.
“In a match you just need to convert your chances if you are serious about winning. We have to go back and work on that area.
“All our goals in this tournament have been from the midfielders and it is something very worrisome as we prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers,” said Mugadza
Zimbabwe could have added another goal in the first period just after the half hour mark but Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri’s pile driver was kept out by the woodwork.
In the second period the best chance fell to midfielder Marjoury Nyaumwe but the Aces player – in front of the net -chose to shoot wide.
The Mighty Warriors lacked creativity and fluidity.
Coach Mugadza made three changes to the team which played against Egypt with second choice goalkeeper Chido Dzingirai coming in for captain Onai Chingawo while
Violet Bepete started in place of Rutendo Makore and Patience Mujuru filled the defence void following the suspension of defender Lynette Mutokuto
The Cyclone Queens goalkeeper was just forced to make two crucial saves and in the end the Mighty Warriors were celebrating after they were robbed in the opening when they drew 2-2 with Egypt.
Teams
Tunisia
Z. Huduri, S. Alumeri, H. Alexadry, R. Alrehabi, S. Alsharif, R. Mahrez, R. Ghariz, A. Alfarganie, S. Albassy, M.Huwaysh, S. Ghaniya.
Zimbabwe
Chido Dzingirai, Danai Bhobho, Patience Mujuru, Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri, Eunice Chibanda, Talent Mandaza (Emmaculate Msipa 80th minute), Marjoury Nyaumwe (Rutendo Makore 90th minute), Tsitsi Mairosi, Sheila Makoto, Rudo Neshamba (Erina Jeke 62nd minute), Violet Bepete (Kuda Basopo 62nd minute).
Online Reporter