Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo in NDOLA, Zambia
MIGHTY Warriors striker, Ethel “Halaand” Chinyerere, underlined her growing status as a go-to player when her second half performance helped Zimbabwe roll over Lesotho in the semi-final of the 4Nations Women’s Championship here on Saturday.
Zimbabwe are part of the ongoing friendly contest during the current FIFA window, trying to grab ranking points and expose the girls to competition.
While Zambia and Kenya are taking this platform to ready themselves for the 2026 WAFCON finals coming up next month in Morocco, the Mighty Warriors are shaping up for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics that get underway in September.
That is the reason why all the participants in this 4Nations tournament have brought their full strength squads.
And for Zimbabwe, beating Lesotho to book a final berth, was a priority.
But it never came on a platter with the Mehalalitoe mounting a strong resistance that even threatened to break down the Mighty Warriors.
Coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda turned to her lethal piece – Chinyerere.
The former Chapungu Queens forward is making her baby steps in the Zambian top-flight having recently joined Green Buffaloes.
Her magic turned the game around for the Mighty Warriors who, until the break, had been pegged back by a team ranked 57 places below them.
In the end, Zimbabwe won 3-1 and will now play hosts Zambia, who beat Kenya 4-2 on penalties, in the final tomorrow.
“It was hard but I am happy we managed to pull it through,” she said.
“The match was nervy. You saw even in the initial stages when I came through, it was never easy.
“But I am happy at the end of the day that I managed to implement what the coach had told me to do when I came on.
“We were seated right there, on the bench, I was studying the match with the help of the technical team.
“It was a bit easier for me because we already knew what was supposed to be done. I would also like to commend my teammates for their never-die spirit.
“The game was not easy but the girls knew which boxes needed to be ticked. When things got tougher, we found a way to dig deeper and we won.”
Sibanda said Chinyerere’s introduction was the turning point.
“We started with the youngsters who have the determination and ambition,” said Sibanda.
“They carried themselves well in that match, doing what we expected them to do, pressing high and moving the ball around fast.
“They were only let down by their lack of composure in front of goal. That’s the reason I had to introduce experience which Chinyerere and the others carry.
“I am happy they managed to polish things up and here we are.”
