Mighty Warriors trounce Lesotho

Zimbabwe 3 Lesotho 0

MIGHTY Warriors’ spirited show saw them dismiss Lesotho 3-0 in their second group match of the ongoing 2024 Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup Championship that is being hosted in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Going into the match which was played at Madibaz Stadium, Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda’s charges were smarting from a 1-0 defeat suffered at the hands of Mozambique last Thursday.

The match between Zimbabwe and Mozambique, was a repeat of last year’s third-place play-off clash that saw Aurora Ngale grab the all-important goal of the match to separate the two antagonists.

Ironically, it was Mozambique who denied the Mighty Warriors a spot on the podium in Gauteng.

To get the better part of Lesotho, the Mighty Warriors got their goals courtesy of a 60th minute striker by Ethel Chinyerere before Christabel Katona made it two, nine minutes later.

Chinyerere, who was named Player of the Match, had to seal the match as a contest with another goal in referee’s optional time.

“This is for you Zimbabwe, thank you for the support,” said Chinyerere after getting her player of the match accolade.
It was a match in which Zimbabwe’s Alice Moyo had a first half penalty miss after Katona was fouled inside the box.
Moyo was reportedly denied by the crossbar.

The Mighty Warriors were naturally looking to roll over Lesotho in yesterday’s must-win final group match and then wait until Tuesday for their fate at the ongoing contest.

Sibanda’s girls are in Group D alongside Lesotho and Mozambique, from which only pool leaders will progress to the semi-finals.

And they stand on a shaky surface after losing their opener against Mozambique.

Yesterday’s win might not be enough for Mighty Warriors if Mozambique can avoid defeat against Lesotho tomorrow, in which case they will win the group.

The Mighty Warriors had to do their part and hope for the best from the Lesotho versus Mozambique encounter. They were architects of their predicament after they allowed Mozambique to steal the points even after thoroughly outplaying them at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium.

Sibanda is assisted by Primrose Serima and Onai Chingawo.

Debra Green is the team manager and Margaret Maulana is the team doctor.

The semi-finals and final of the competition will be played at Isaac Wolfson Stadium on October 31 and November 2.

South Africa has won seven of the previous 11 Cosafa Women’s Championships. Zimbabwe (2011), Tanzania (2021) and Zambia (2022) also lifted the trophy.

Cosafa is on record saying they will expand Video Assistant Referee (VAR) usage to nine fixtures, including the final round of group games.

Mighty Warriors Squad:
Goalkeepers: Vanessa Lunga, Cynthia Shonga, Precious Mudyiwa
Defenders: Egness Tumbare, Purity Mugayi, Shelila Antonio, Nobukhosi Ncube, Alice Moyo Midfielders: Morelife Nyagumbo, Ennety Chenhere, Kaitano, Peacemore Kenende, Natasha Ndowa, Shyline DambaMuromo, Nadia Semba, Edeline Mutumbami, Tanyaradzwa Chihoro, Patience Ndlovu Forwards: Ethel Chinyerere, Maudy Mafuruse, Priviledge Mupeti, Christabel Katona, Mitshell John — @FungaiMuderere