adminEllina Mhlanga Harare Bureau
Zimbabwe 2-2 Ghana
(Zimbabwe lost 3-4 on aggregate)
MIGHTY Warriors coach, Rosemary Mugadza, yesterday blamed Lady Luck as her side failed to qualify for the All-Africa Games after being held at home by the Black Queens of Ghana at Rufaro.
Zimbabwe needed, at least, a 1-0 win to progress to the Games after they scored an away goal in Accra in the first leg they lost 1-2.
The Games are scheduled for September 4 to 19 in Senegal.
Hopes were high the Mighty Warriors would turn the tables in their favour and win yesterday’s game at home but the task proved too much for them.
“It’s one of the worst days and it’s hurting that we’re not going to the All-Africa Games in Senegal,” said Mugadza.
“We did our best and we conceded two silly goals, this reminds me of the second goal we conceded in Accra.
“I’m saying it’s tough luck to us, maybe we need more time as a team to have international friendly matches, at least, to assess our players as you know that we’re coming from a league which isn’t running.
“We need to go back and see what we can do before we engage Zambia for the Olympic Games qualifiers.”
Ghana were the first to score in the 19th minute through Portia Boakye, after she intercepted the ball from Zimbabwe’s goalkeeper Chido Dzingirai, and buried it home from distance.
Samukelisiwe Zulu scored from outside the box to equalise for Zimbabwe, five minutes before half-time,
The Black Queens went ahead again in the 74th minute when Addo found the back of the net through a header from Samira Suleman’s cross.
A minute later, Rudo Neshamba, who came in as a substitute for Tafadzwa Tsunguro, equalised for the Mighty Warriors.
Ghana’s coach, Yusif Bassigi, felt the Zimbabwe side had given them a good challenge.
“I will say the Zimbabweans also did very well but, unfortunately, for them we also all came out full of determination.
“This is a new team that we’re building and by the time we get to September we will have a strong side.”
Teams
Zimbabwe: C. Dzingirai, S. Makoto, N. Majika, E. Msipa, F. Muzongondi, P. Mujuru, T. Tsunguro (R. Neshamba 35th minute), S. Zulu (M. Chirandu 63rd minute), T. Mandaza, M. Nyaumwe, E. Jeke.
Ghana: F. Dumahisi, C. Adobia, E. Atovor, L. Eshun (R. Ampem 90th minute), J. Egyir (H. Kobbla 67th minute), J. Acheampong, Jana Ayieyam, M. Myles, Samira Suleman, Elizabeth Addo, Portia Boakye.
Online Reporter