adminFROM Grace Chingoma
in Lusaka, Zambia
Zambia…………………………………………………………………..(0)1
Zimbabwe……………………………………………………………….(3)3
(Zimbabwe progress 4-1 on aggregate)
A BRACE by forward Rufaro Machingura saw a fired-up Mighty Warriors progressing to the last qualifying round of the All-Africa Games after dismissing She-polopolo at Nkoloma Stadium here yesterday.
Zimbabwe’s senior women national team will now meet Angola in April in the last round for a place at the Maputo Games in September.
Under-20 centreback Machingura, who was thrust up-front in yesterday’s match, scored in the 6th and 21st minute while defensive midfielder Emmaculate Msipa had scored the opening goal in the 4th minute.
A low shot by an unmarked Msipa outside the box, after a Zambian defender had failed to clear her lines, gave the visitors an early lead.
While the hosts were still trying to come to terms, the gangly Machingura scored her first international goal in her second game for the senior team when she coolly controlled the ball and fired past the hosts’ goalkeeper Miriam Kamatanda.
Machingura killed the match as a contest when again she found the Zambian defence napping and fired home, sending a small band of Zimbabwean supporters, which included Zimbabwean ambassador to Zambia Lovemore Mazemo, into a frenzy.
The hosts then pulled one back in the 59th minute through a penalty.
Malawian referee Martha Kanyekanye adjudged that Zimbabwe captain Tsitsi Mairosi had handled in the box as she tried to control the ball.
Susan Banda took the spot kick and sent the visitors’ goalkeeper Onai Chingawo the wrong way.
Machingura was a happy athlete after the match.
“I cannot just believe that I scored not only one but two goals. It was my second game for the senior team after playing in a friendly match against South Africa in Johannesburg last year.
“I am a defender but coach Rose (Mugadza) said my size would be a match for the defenders and said she had faith that I would do well up-front.
“I just hope I will maintain this and do well in future assignments,” said Machingura.
Zimbabwe had a good match and we were just brilliant in all the departments.
They subdued a She-polopolo who were a pale shadow of the team which troubled the Mighty Warriors in the reverse leg before narrowly losing
Midfielder Majoury Nyaumwe, operating just behind the strikers, won a lot of balls and kept the supply line open.
Under-20 striker Rudo Neshamba and Nokuthula Ndlovu also came close to scoring in the second period but were denied by the Zambian goalkeeper
Zambian striker Kabange Mupopo, who gave the Zimbabweans a torrid time at Rufaro, had a quiet game yesterday.
Mighty Warriors coach Rose Mugadza paid tribute to her charges for a classy performance and said their mission wasn’t over until the team qualifies for the All-Africa Games.
“Our game plan worked. Our objective was to attack and score an early goal, which we did. After struggling at home we introduced a few Under-20 players who are full of pace.
“We observed in the return leg that their defence was not that good but we needed fast players, that’s why we changed the team a bit.
“And also, when playing at home, we tend to have unnecessary pressure. But now we are not going to rest until we qualify for the Games,” said Mugadza.
Zambian coach Enala Simbeya said her team was outclassed by the visitors.
“Everything went wrong for us today (yesterday). We lost the few chances that came our way and Zimbabwe deserved to win.
“They had a game plan to score early goals, they did that and after conceding those goals my girls felt demoralised.
“I wish them all the best in the next round and with the way they played against us they can go to the finals of the tournament,” said Simbeya.
Teams
Zambia: M. Kamatanda, M. Banda, M. Wilombe, A. Kibanji, T. Chizynz(R. Misozi22nd minute), D. Chisanga, S. Banda, N. Sosala,E. Banda(E. Mambwe81st minute K. Mupopo, G. Lusaka.
Zimbabwe: O. Chingawo, E. Chibanda, R. Mutyavaviri, N. Majika, L. Masase, E. Msipa(T. Mandaza 64th minute), T. Mairosi(E. Jeke 80th minute), N. Ndlovu, M. Nyaumwe, R. Neshamba, R. Machingura.
Online Reporter