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The match kicks off at 5pm Zimbabwe time and the team which wins today will qualify for the women’s version of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Zimbabwe have featured twice at the Africa Cup of Nations and last competed in the 2002 edition in South Africa and the team, which has made remarkable progress since their revival feels another dance at the continental showpiece would complete their fairytale.
But drawn against the African powerhouse, who have won the title eight times and have participated at the World Cup finals, the Mighty Warriors, who are now probably among the top five nations in Africa right now may have probably bitten off more than they can chew.
However, the Mighty Warriors gaffer and a former captain of the team doesn’t believe qualifying for the Afcon is a distant dream.
Speaking during a press conference after her team’s morning training session yesterday she declared that they are here to compete.
Mugadza has made changes which she believes will give the team the cutting edge which was lacking in the first leg and on the first line of defence has thrust Sheila Makoto on the left fullback while Viola Ndlovu will operate from the right.
In the reverse tie at Rufaro, Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri struggled on the left and the big defender is now likely to be pushed to the left midfield replacing veteran left winger Nokuthula Ndlovu who is a doubtful starter as she sat out the training session.
Majika, who operated from the right in the reverse tie will now partner Danai Bhobho in central midfield relegating Lillian Masase who also struggled with her game in Harare as she battled to contain the Nigerian forwards. In midfield, the gaffer has thrust Emmaculate Msipa into the anchor role.
The Mufakose defensive midfield, who also played the role for the Young Mighty Warriors against Nigeria and was found wanting, had lost her place in the senior team. In the last assignments against Nigeria and the warm up match against Tanzania she was relegated to the bench.
But the midfielder has bounced back and Kuda Basopo, who played the defensive midfield in the first leg, is now pushed upfront and will combine with Rudo Neshamba as they seek the crucial goals which may propel Zimbabwe to the African Women Championships finals in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
The coach will also be hoping that midfielder Marjoury Nyaumwe, who has always shone like a beacon in national team colours will be in form and will be complimented by Felistas Muzongondi on the right flank.
“We have a problem with Nokuthula who has pulled a muscle and we will see if she can pass a late fitness test. We have made changes to our defence and put the players whom we believe are a bit faster and Sheila (Makoto) and Viola (Ndlovu) should help us with that. We have also made changes to our strike force as Rufaro (Machingura) is not in the team and we have pushed Kuda back and she will partner Rudo (Neshamba). At the Press briefing, Mugadza was confident.
“We are here to compete and not to fulfil a fixture. We know we lost at home but this is a new game altogether. We are here to play our game and everything is fine. Given the morale that we have we are ready to play Nigeria and hope to get the result that we need.
“When we regrouped, we were working on the finishing and we are confident that this time we will convert our chances,” said Mugadza.
The former captain said the fact that their hosts have called on more players from the Under-20 team which qualified for the World Cup means that they have a lot of home work from the first leg and probably feeling the pressure at home.
“They might have felt that the Under20 players are a bit faster and would match our players because when we played them one of strongest point was the pace and they want to match us,” said Mugadza.
Team
Onai Chingawo, NobuhleMajika,Sheila Makoto, Danai Bhobho, Viola Ndlovu, Emmaculate Msipa, Marjoury Nyaumwe, Felistas Muzongondi,Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri, Rudo Neshamba,Kuda Basopo.
Online Reporter