adminThe Mighty Warriors have been rising, as a brand name, and now boast a loyal fan base at home and thousands of their supporters are expected at Rufaro tomorrow to cheer the team in their search for victory.
Zimbabwe carry a 10 lead from the first leg in Gaborone but the Mighty Warriors are not reading much into that result and are bracing themselves for a new challenge. The match, which kicks off at 3pm, is free of charge and will also be televised live on ZBC.
With the Warriors inactive until late next month when they get their 2013 Nations Cup qualifying battle underway away in Burundi, all eyes have been on the Mighty Warriors of late.
There is detectable frustration among football fans in the country that the Warriors failed to make the 2012 Nations Cup finals in a group where they had a fair chance and remained on the hunt until the final game.
Given the way things are unfolding at the Nations Cup finals, where the traditional giants are finding the going tough, a good number of the Warriors’ fans believe that their team missed a big opportunity to make a huge impression at this tournament.
At least, the Mighty Warriors are still battling for a place at the biggest football festival for women on the continent to be held in Equatorial Guinea in November.
Mighty Warriors’ hardworking midfielder and vicecaptain Tsitsi “Figo” Mairosi, who is has been an asset on the right flank and barely puts a foot wrong, said they want an early goal to unsettle the visitors.
“We want to beat Botswana in the first 15 minutes because when playing games like these we would have studied each other in the first leg so an early goal before everyone settles would be good.
“I want to play my part in the midfield, creating chances and, if I get a chance, I want to score. We are focused on the game and we are not underrating them (Botswana) at all. We also enjoy the support from the fans who have been supporting us by coming to our matches and we need to repay that by displaying fine football,” said Mairosi.
Gangly defender, Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri, who has developed a secret weapon of shooting from range and converting a good fair of her efforts, said they were geared for the big match.
“We have corrected our mistakes from the first leg and we hope to win. Everyone is fit and we are working as a team.
“We know what Botswana can do it as there are no longer any small or big teams in Africa and so are looking forward to a tough match but we are prepared.
“I also hope to rectify my mistakes from the first leg and do my part on Sunday,” said Mutyavaviri.
As the team went through their paces at Rufaro yesterday under German technical advisor, Dieter Klaus Pagels, and coach Rosemary Mugadza, the players looked very relaxed.
Mighty Warriors’ captain, Onai Chingawo, has warned her troops to guard against complacency.
“It has always been our weakness when playing against smaller teams but we will not make that mistake.
“The fact that we edged them 10 in Gaborone, somehow, gave them confidence that they can stun us here and they can do it.
“And we are aware of that and we will not let them spoil it for us. We need to win at least 20 and not concede a goal as this will put us under unnecessary pressure.
“And we are ready and we want to play exciting football,” said Chingawo.
The technical department is likely to make a few changes to the team which played in the first leg a fortnight ago with leftfooted midfielder, Nokuthula “Marhoo” Ndlovu, likely to reclaim her place in the middle of the park.
The absence of the veteran midfielder was really felt and her recovery is good news for the team. However, the gaffer is only expected to announce her first team this morning and is likely to retain the bulk of the side that won in Botswana.
Goalkeeper Chingawo is expected to guard goal while Danai Bhobho and Lynette Mutokuto are likely to form the central defence. Mutyavaviri is likely to keep her place on the left back position with Talent
Mandaza, who has been playing on the right, being switched to her defensive midfield position where Emmaculate Msipa appeared to struggle in Gaborone.
In the middle of the park it should be business as usual with midfield maestro Marjoury Nyaumwe expected to lead that creative hub and ably supported by Mairosi and Ndlovu. Up front chief striker, Rudo “Tupla” Neshamba, may be partnered by either Erina Jeke, who scored the solitary goal in Gaborone, or Rutendo “Madzimai” Makore.
Coach Mugadza said they were facing a new challenge against Botswana.
“The players know exactly what is expected from them. It’s a new game altogether and we are saying its 0-0 and we are not looking at the past result.
“We know they have two good players in Bebeto(Bonang Otlhagile) and Thuto (Ramafifi) and we have worked with the girls and they will contain them.
“We have been working with our defence trying the best combinations and we roped in Samantha Peters and Nokubosi Ncube from the Under 20 as cover and there has been an improvement,” said Mugadza.
Zimbabwe are out to clinch the series and set up a clash against African giants, Super Falcons of Nigeria, in the last qualifying round.
The match at Rufaro tomorrow is one of a number of preliminary round ties of the Caf African Women Championships across the continent this weekend.
Fixtures
Guinea v Côte d’Ivoire; Ethiopia v Egypt; Tanzania v Namibia; Mozambique v Kenya; Malawi v Zambia; Tunisia v Morocco; Zimbabwe v Botswana; RD Congo v Uganda; Ghana v Mali.
Online Reporter