Chronicle Editor
Tadious Manyepo in Pretoria, South Africa
ZIMBABWE’S journey in the Cosafa Women’s Championship met an untimely conclusion, with a narrow semi-final defeat at the hands of their cross-border rivals, Zambia, at Lucas Moripe Stadium yesterday.
Their performance in the group stage of the competition had been nothing short of a fairytale, and they entered the semi-final match with high hopes, making their return to international football after a two-year absence.
However, those dreams were dashed by a solitary strike from Sarah Jere just five minutes after the second-half began. To add to the team’s challenges, there was simmering tension within the coaching staff, with head coach Shadreck Mlauzi sitting in the stands. Mlauzi had been embroiled in controversy after allegations of sexual harassment within the technical team were made public via social media. While it’s unclear whether he was ordered not to sit on the bench by Cosafa, he claimed it was his own decision to be in the stands.
The team seemed to absorb all the pressure from the defending champions, the Copper Queens, in the initial stages of the game. However, with Captain Rudo Neshamba struggling to lead the troops and the Zimbabwean midfield and defence fatigued in the punishing afternoon heat, Zambia dominated the match.
A change came when Ennety Chemhere had to be substituted due to injury, making way for Herentals utility player Shyline Dambamuromo. The defence, led by goalkeeper Cynthia Shonga and the backline of Nobukhosi Ncube, Vimbai Mharadzi, and Esline Mutumbami, thwarted various raids from the Copper Queens.
With Neshamba’s performance deteriorating and a lack of proper guidance, the Mighty Warriors were restricted to just two attempts on goal in the first-half. Privilege Mupeti missed a chance at the stroke of half-time, and the game plan was disrupted.
The second-half didn’t start well, and Jere capitalised on a moment of inattention to score for Zambia. Although the Mighty Warriors had moments of resurgence, it was too little, too late.
Ultimately, Zimbabwe will play in the bronze match against either Malawi or Mozambique, marking the end of a promising but ultimately unfulfilled journey in the tournament.
Assistant coach Yohane Chikaola hailed the girls.
“The girls did well in the match. We matched the Zambians but I thought we failed to utilise the chances that came our way. We will aim to win the bronze match but otherwise the girls did well in this tournament.
“Zambia wanted it more. We didn’t watch them play in their last games and it haunted us. But all the same well done to the girls,” said Chikaola.
Teams
Zambia:Leticia Lungu, Susan Banda, Pauline Zulu, Fridah Kabwe, Eneless Phiri (Comfort Selemani 58min), Salome Phiri, Evarine Katongo, Sarah Jere, Lushomo Mweemba, Esther Siamfuko, Esther Banda
Zimbabwe:Cynthia Shonga, Daisy Kaitano, Eunice Chibanda, Purity Mugayi, Vimbai Mharadzi, Rudo Neshamba(Maudy Mafuruse 79min), Edline Mutumbami, Nobukhosi Ncube, Privilege Mupeti, Ennety Chemhere (Shyline Dambamuromo 29min), Christabel Katona(Alice Moyo 79min)
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