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Ellina Mhlanga : Sports Reporter
THE Mighty Warriors get their historic campaign at the Rio Olympic Games with a match against two-time World Cup champions Germany in Group F at the Corinthians Arena, Sao Paulo tomorrow. The match gets underway at 11pm Zimbabwean time. Zimbabwe go into the match with all odds against them, ranked at number 93 while their Germany counterparts are ranked second in the world.On Friday, Zimbabwe lost 0-3 to China in a friendly match in Sao Paulo.
China got their goals from Yang Li, who scored a brace and Wang Shanshan.
The game was their final preparatory match before the football tournament bursts into life tomorrow.
Mlauzi yesterday said the friendly tie against China helped them identify some areas they need to work on.
“It was quite a good game, good experience. It was our first time to play a 12th ranked team. So it was always going to be a tall order, but we were flowing, fitting in although the guys were still nervous.
“But after 20 minutes we managed to fit in and then we managed to match them. Obviously, the physical difference was also a factor that contributed because we were not able during that time to deal with crosses that came into our box and defend.
“So those are the areas we have been trying to work on starting with the game against Germany on Wednesday. As I was saying the guys were a bit nervous in the first 20 minutes of the game against China. So it was a lesson learnt that at this level we cannot afford to have those lapses.
“And it’s important that we are well focused from the start so that we are able to play our own Mighty Warriors way of playing the game,” said Mlauzi.
Zimbabwe’s second game is against Canada on Saturday and they complete the group games against Australia on August 9.
Speaking just before their departure to Brazil, Mighty Warriors assistant coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda said the Zimbabweans will not be in Brazil to add numbers.
“We are going to Rio to compete I must say because I believe nowadays football it’s about modern tactics.
“All those tactics used by any other country, be it the European countries, it’s the same tactics that we employ.
“I would say, yes, we are a small nation. We have not been there, we are inexperienced, but we are going to Rio to compete really not just to make numbers,” said Sibanda.
Germany won the World Cup in 2003 and in 2007 while Zimbabwe has never qualified for the World Cup.
They have been to the Olympics several times winning three bronze medals in 2000, 2004 and 2008.
But they were unable to qualify in 2012 for the Games in London.
Zimbabwe will be making their maiden appearance at the global sporting showpiece.
The Mighty Warriors wrote their own piece of history by becoming the first football team from this country to qualify for the Olympic Games when they beat Cameroon in the last qualifying round of the qualifiers last October.
They are one of the two African countries representing the continent in Brazil. The other country is South Africa, who are in Group E together with Brazil, China and Sweden.
Colombia, France, New Zealand and USA makes up Group G.
Mighty Warriors Team
Kudakwashe Bhasopo, Eunice Chibanda, Chido Dzingirai, Erina Jeke, Daisy Kaitano, Rejoice Kapfumvuti, Lindiwe Magwede, Rutendo Makore, Sheila Makoto, Talent Mandaza, Emmaculate Msipa, Lynett Mutokuto, Felistas Muzongondi, Rudo Neshamba, Marjory Nyaumwe, Samkelisiwe Zulu, Mavis Chirandu, Nobuhle Majika.
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