adminCaroline Magenga Harare Bureau
WOMEN’S soccer league side Auckland Queens missed the performance of their transfer acquisition in their fixture on Sunday owing to delays in the processing of work permits.
The Bindura-based outfit landed the Botswana duo of Leboganag Setereke and Refiloe Tshambani at the beginning of the season for a year-long deal.
The two, who were engaged to boost the club’s performance, are yet to make their debut appearances for Auckland following delays in work permits.
Head coach for Auckland Queens, Jerrymike Gumbo, said he is hopeful the issue will be cleared and the girls can join in the upcoming week seven fixtures.
“They have been practising with the team but we have not included them in any matches we have played because they are not yet eligible to play owing to logistics in work permits.
“We are hopeful that by the end of the week everything will be finalised and the girls can join us for the week seven games, aside from that they are settling well with the rest of the team,” said Gumbo.
Both players rose through the junior national team structures and they currently play for their national side, Setereke as a midfielder and Gaborone as a goalkeeper.
Despite the Botswana duo’s absence Auckland Queens played well at Mkoba where they went head to head with Chipembere and won 1-0, courtesy of a rebound scored by Moreblessing Manemahoko in the 53rd minute.
Gumbo said that while he was happy with the win, his team still had a lot of shaping up to do.
“As a coach I feel there will always be room for improvement in our play like in that game we missed a lot of opportunities that we should have manifested into goals so we have to work harder and shape up for our future contests. That being said, I am proud of the girls, they played well and won the match because it was a really tough game. It’s always harder to play a team at their home ground because they command a large following of support and they are familiar with their turfs but our girls played relatively well and won,” he added.
Auckland are currently on 12 points and are tied with log leaders Flame Lily but due to an inferior goal difference are sitting on second position on the log.
Results
Tenax 1, Mufakose Queens 1; Conduit 3, Cyclone Stars 0; Inline 3, Borrow Jets Queens 0; Chipembere 0, Auckland Queens1; ZRP 1, Flame Lily Queens 7.
Online Reporter