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their Cosafa Women’s Championships semi-final clash against Tanzania at Rufaro this afternoon.
Neshamba picked up a groin injury in Zimbabwe’s opening game against Lesotho and sat out the two Group A matches against Malawi and Mozambique.
She returned to the fold yesterday and now looks set to partner big forward Rufaro Machingura when the Mighty Warriors meet a tricky Twiga Stars in the second of the semi-final matches.
Champions South Africa face Malawi in the first one at 12.30pm.
But the focus will be on hosts Zimbabwe who sounded warning shots of their pedigree to go all the way after thumping Malawi 8-2.
The Mighty Warriors are also hoping to avoid the disappointment of 2006 in Zambia and Angola two years later when they fell at the semi-final stage on both occasions. Their only appearance in the final came in 2002 when they hosted the tournament but they second best after losing 2-1 to South Africa.
But if they have been steamrolling past their Group A opponents, the Mighty Warriors are likely to be given a tough test by a Tanzania side that won many admirers because of their passing game and determination.
Mighty Warriors coach Rose Mugadza yesterday acknowledged that Tanzania would be a much tougher proposition but said her charges were adequately prepared for the encounter.
“It is a tough match and as we have said earlier we knew we would either meet them or South Africa and we know what to expect.
“We have done our homework and we are training and seeing how best we can encounter them. We have seen how they play . . . they are good in midfield and good ball passers.
“The players know that Tanzania is a tough team and we should be at our best. We need to go the finals and to be there we have to beat Tanzania tomorrow afternoon. We rested some players in our previous match but they are back in the fold. We tried some combinations and I am glad we could found solutions to some of our weak areas,” said Mugadza.
The Mighty Warriors central defence of Nobuhle Majika and Patience Mujuru, which was struggling and let in two soft goals in their match against Malawi, has been changed with Danai Bhobho now expected to partner the dreadlocked Majika.
Bhobho started in the heart of defence in the match against Mozambique and Mugadza believes she may address their headache in the defence.
Also coming back into the team is Neshamba who has fully recovered from a groin strain.
Neshamba scored the opening goal against Lesotho on the first day but later had a subdued performance and was eventually substituted.
While Neshamba battled to regain fitness, Machingura seized the opportunity to front the Mighty Warriors attack and fired home seven goals.
Machingura and Neshamba will now have to be at their best to breach the Twiga Stars defence if the Mighty Warriors are to keep alive their hopes of winning a maiden Cosafa title.
Tanzania yesterday indicated that they are aware of the Mighty Warriors’ potent strike force.
Twiga Stars coach Boniface Mkwanza singled out Machingura as the biggest threat to their aspirations but said he had, however, devised a plan to contain the big striker.
“It will be very difficult in the semi-finals because we are playing the hosts. We noticed that they use their striker who wears the number three jersey (Rufaro Machingura) a lot so we have to contain that player and see what will happen,” said Mkwanza.
After resting in the 3-0 victory against Mozambique, goalkeeper Onai Chingawo, defenders Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri, Majika and midfielders Tsitsi Mairosi and Talent Mandaza should be back on national duty this afternoon.
Mairosi and Mandaza, who have also enjoyed a good tournament, should keep the supply line open for their strikers.
Veteran midfielder Nokuthula Ndlovu is also expected to summon her experience while Marjoury Nyaumwe, who had a fine outing in the game against Mozambique, could be thrust to operate just behind the strikers.
Although Zimbabwe’s clash against Tanzania appears too close to call, South Africa’s Banyana Banyana should have little trouble dismissing Malawi.
Malawi recovered from their humiliation by Zimbabwe to hammer Lesotho 5-2 but they will be clear underdgos when they go into battle against the champions.
Banyana Banya coach Joseph Mkhonza has reiterated that he is taking the tournament seriously as he is preparing for a crucial London 2012 Olympic qualifier against Ethiopia next month.
“Our defence has conceded just one goal in three outings at this tournament and that was a mistake from one of our midfielders, not one of our defenders.
“So our rearguard is handling the pressure really well and our midfield is settling in well on creating scoring chances for our strikers.
“This is a bigger challenge for us than the other Cosafa tournaments, which we have played and won. We have an important match coming up against Ethiopia. So you can see this is really tough for us and this tournament is the perfect platform to prepare for the match.
“We have to make sure we maintain the winning momentum,” said Mkhonza.
Malawi coach Richard Chipungu, however, said they would not give in easily.
“I am glad we managed to reach the semis. Lesotho had a better chance going into the match, as they only needed a draw while we needed a victory, but we managed to turn it around in the second half. The match with the South Africans is going to be a cracker. They are the defending champions and they won’t let the title go easily, but we will fight on until the last minute,” said Chipungu.
Today:
South Africa v Malawi (Rufaro, 12.30pm).
Zimbabwe v Tanzania (Rufaro, 3. 15pm).
Online Reporter