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Tadious Manyepo in PRETORIA, South Africa
Zambia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)1
Zimbabwe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
THE Mighty Warriors’ dream of making a title-winning return to international football ended in a narrow defeat to rivals Zambia in a Cosafa Women’s Championship semi-final at Lucas Moripe Stadium yesterday.
A brilliant solo goal by Sarah Jere five minutes after the restart was the difference between the two sides as holders Zambia reached the final.
Matters weren’t helped by the simmering tension within the team hierarchy with head coach Shadreck Mlauzi watching from the terraces.
While there were suggestions that Cosafa made the decision following reports of sexual harassment in the Mighty Warriors camp, the gaffer said it was his own decision to be on the terraces.
During the entire game, Mlauzi would summon Goalkeepers coach Ndega Matsika to the fence and dish some instructions.
It was always bound to be a difficult game against the defending champions who have vastily improved over the past five years.
But the Zimbabweans showed determination, absorbing all the pressure thrown at them by the Copper Queens in the initial stages of the game.
With captain Rudo Neshamba struggling to lead the troops from the front, losing possession easily and failing to make even a single complete pass in the opening 45 minutes, it was all Zambia all over the Mighty Warriors.
Having to deal with the pacey Zambians in the punishing afternoon heat in Pretoria left the Zimbabwean midfield and defence looking tired and the game plan was shattered after Ennety Chemhere pulled a hamstring inside 25 minutes of action.
She was replaced by the stocky Herentals utility Shyline Dambamuromo who for a moment did a splendid job in mopping up the midfield.
But much credit should go to goalkeeper Cythia Shonga and her backline of Nobukhosi Ncube, Vimbai Mharadzi and the industrious Esline Mutumbami for thwarting varying raids from the Copper Queens.
With Neshamba lost in the heat, the Mighty Warriors were restricted to just two attempts at goal in the opening stanza, Privilege Mupeti failing to dink over Leticia Lungu in goals for Zambia at the stroke of half time.
Afterwards, as was the story in her afternoon Neshamba was surprisingly too tired to latch onto a loose ball and allowed Lungu to collect.
Five minutes into the second half, Jere pounced by beating all her markers, who struggled for balance, before slicing past a diving Shonga.
It could have been worse but Lushomo Mweemba’s curler cannoned off the frame of Shonga’s goal before the latter excellently saved a stinging free kick just outside the box.
But once Neshamba was replaced by Maudy Mafuruse and Christbel Katona by Alice Moyo, the Mighty Warriors had life again.
With four minutes before time, Mafuruse beat the Zambian zonal marking but she was a touch earlier, hitting the ball without balance and the shot was tame.
However it did trouble Lungu who fumbled it over her body before recovering just in time before the ball rolled over the goal line.
That was Zimbabwe’s best chance in the second half and that it came so late allowed the Zambians to quickly re-organise and nail down their win.
The Mighty Warriors will now play the bronze match.
Despite the defeat, assistant coach Yohane Chikaola hailed the girls.
“The girls did well in the match. We matched the Zambians but I thought we failed to utilise the chances that came our way,” said Chikaola.
“We will aim to win the bronze match but otherwise the girls did well in this tournament.
“Zambia wanted it more. We didn’t watch them play in their last games and it haunted us. But all the same well done to the girls”.
Online Reporter