adminFungayi Munyoro Sports Correspondent
NEWLY appointed Mighty Warriors coach Shadreck Mlauzi is in a bullish mood ahead of Sunday’s Olympic Games qualifier clash against women football continental heavyweights Cameroon at the National Sports Stadium.
The Mighty Warriors coach has a huge mountain to climb as he attempts to lead his team in a quest to book a berth in the 2016 Olympic Games to be held in Brazil.
Roped into senior women national team technical department after long-serving coach Rose Mugadza, together with her assistants were fired in early September, Mlauzi will be looking for nothing less than a win.
“We suffered a 1-2 defeat in Cameroon, but this time we have home advantage and we know Cameroon will fall this weekend. We can still turn the tables and come out with positive results this weekend. We have what it takes to win this Sunday,” he added.
Mlauzi believes that their 1-2 defeat was a result of inadequate preparations.
“Last time we only trained for four days and we were not ready for such a big encounter. But this time we are ready, so far so good and preparations are going on well. Morale in the camp is very high and we are assured of a positive result. We have also beefed up the squad with some players that we had left out for the first leg,” said Mlauzi.
Some of the players that bounced back into the squad include striker Rufaro Machingura, who last played for the squad in March against Ghana in the African Games qualifiers; striker Kuda Bhasopho; midfielder Mavis Chirandu; and defenders Melody Musasa and Talent Mandaza.
Mlauzi, who promised fireworks, urged the nation to give the team maximum support.
“We promise not to disappoint our country and we promise fireworks. We want to restore our lost pride,” he added.
Cameroon are one of the heavyweights in African women football his- tory.
Last year they participated at the Women World Cup finals and won a silver medal last month after losing to Ghana in the African Games held in Ghana.
Zimbabwe squad:
Lindiwe Magwede; Chido Dzingai; Vannesa Lunga; Nobuhle Majika; Lynnete Mutokuto; Eunice Chibanda; Faith Chasi; Chido Muhara; Melody Musasa; Amanda Five; Sithembile Nyoni; Prisca Khumalo; Emmaculate Msipa; Rejoyce Kapfumvuti; Felistus Muzongondi; Viola Ndlovu; Aldigrade Bhamu; Sifundile Moyo.
Online Reporter