Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
MIGHTY Warriors utility player Ruvimbo Mucherera said Zimbabwe need to be a bit streetwise to turn their 2028 Los AngelesOlympics qualifier against Malawi around when they face-off in the second leg at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow.
The Stella Gotal-coached girls lost 2-0 in the reverse tie at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi, last Friday.
Though they were outplayed in the opening half in which they somehow conceded the Scorchers’ opener rather easily, the Mighty Warriors dished a solid show in the second period.
They did let in another goal, again from their own sloppiness, but they should have got a consolation or even two had either Privilege Mupeti or Ethel Chinyerere or both applied cleanliness in their open attempts.
Malawi will step onto the National Sports Stadium, given a ban reprieve by CAF at the weekend, with 10 000 spectators expected, on the front foot, especially with confirmation all their stars, including the Chawinga sisters Temwa and Tabitha, are fit.
But Mucherera, who was outstanding in clipping down Asimenye Semwaka after being deployed at Left Back in the first leg is positive Zimbabwe can put their act together and get to overhaul the Scorchers who have a spring in their step after picking a 2027 World Cup spot by finishing second at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in August.
“I thought we played well in the first leg especially our second half was very encouraging.
“We can build on all those positives from the second period to launch a fight back when we play in front of our own fans,” said Mucherera.
“As players, the message is the same, challenging ourselves, trying to put in our best show possible and see what happens.
“The quality that Malawi possesses is beyond doubt and you all saw how they outplayed themselves at the WAFCON.
“We made some costly mistakes in the first leg, mistakes that we should have avoided as players on the pitch but such is the nature of the game.
“We need to really be ourselves, listen to the coach and try to implement her philosophy to try and get a result against Malawi.
“The optimism sweeping around is encouraging and the general belief is that if Malawi would beat us 2-0 at their own home, we can as well do it at our home and a further step forward will see us going past them.”
Gotal, taking charge of her first game after her appointment two months ago, looked like someone who wanted to absorb the pressure from Malawi first before letting her girls out of their shell in the initial encounter.
The Croat gaffer wanted to minimise damage as much as she could and somehow that looked to work well before some two casual mistakes either side of halftime led to the two goals.
“Yes that was our strategy, to defend as much as we could since we were playing away from home,” said Gotal.
“The approach is certainly going to be different but I can’t share what it will be like when we play in Harare.
“But we feel we can fight ourselves a way into the next round although it is going to be tough.”
Zimbabwe will draw a lot of inspiration from knowing that they will have fans to rally them after initially made to believe they won’t have any.
Spectators had been banned from the National Sports Stadium after chaotic scenes erupted before and after the Warriors’ 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against DR Congo a fortnight ago.
But ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi successfully negotiated for that to be reversed although a limit of just 10 000 fans will now be allowed.
