admin
Ellina Mhlanga : Sports Reporter
AFTER their brave fight against Germany on Wednesday, Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors return to action tonight when they clash against Canada in their second match in Group F at the Corinthians Arena, Sao Paulo. The match kicks-off at 8pm Zimbabwean time. Canada beat Australia 2-0 in the other Group F match on Wednesday while the Mighty Warriors suffered a 1-6 defeat in their opener against the Europeans.Former Mighty Warriors skipper, Nomsa “Boyz” Moyo, said the team need to take pride from the spirited fight they put up on Wednesday when they face Canada tonight.
“I think concentration is still low, they need to concentrate for the whole game. If they had maintained their concentration in the second half we would have not conceded some of those goals.
“They should not give up but fight until the match is over. They need to focus on tomorrow’s game.
“If we managed to score against Germany why can’t we score against Canada? And if we score we do not have to relax, we have to attack as a team and defend as a team,” she said.
Zimbabwe will be banking their hopes on the likes of strikers Rutendo Makore, Kudakwashe Basopo as well as Sheila Makoto and Nobuhle Majika on the back.
Moyo added that after watching the senior women’s side in action against Germany, the opener also exposed the team’s lack of adequate preparation ahead of the Games.
Zimbabwe played two friendly matches against South Africa and China as part of their build-up to the Games.
“Conditioning is also affecting us. So our preparations let us down. If we had prepared well and had (more) friendly matches we could have done better.
“No one thought Zimbabwe could score against Germany. So scoring that goal means that we have the quality but the preparation itself was not good.
“Going into tomorrow’s (today) game I think the coach has corrected some of the mistakes. The players they need someone amongst themselves who can motivate them during the match. We need a team leader in the team,” said Moyo.
Renowned German TV and radio commentator, Bernd Schmelzer, who commended the Mighty Warriors for a good show on Wednesday, said Zimbabwe need to improve the final third.
Schmeltzer was speaking to Star FM’s Spencer Banda, who is in Brazil, after the game.
“It was spectacular I think for the whole of Zimbabwe, for the team, for all the players, for all the fans. I think a great show.
“They need to improve I think in playing forward. They have to improve with the goalkeeper, this is a very special thing you know you saw her, (Lindiwe) Magwede you saw her I think two or three times looking not so good at 3-1.
“But she had three or four attempts which have been as good as it could be,” said Schmelzer.
Canada go into the match as favourites having claimed gold at the London 2012 Games.
The top two teams and two best third-placed teams from the three groups will progress to the quarterfinals.
Online Reporter