admin
Ellina Mhlanga Harare Bureau
AFTER making history by qualifying for the Olympic Games last year, Mighty Warriors assistant coach Sithethelelwe Sibanda has urged the team to maintain the same fighting spirit when they meet Zambia in the final qualifying round of the Africa Women Cup of Nations tomorrow. They take on Zambia tomorrow at Rufaro in the last qualifying round of the Nations Cup.
Zimbabwe last qualified for the Africa Women Cup of Nations in 2004.
Sibanda said a win tomorrow will keep their campaign on track with the return leg pencilled for Sunday at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
“It’s a very important game, it’s the last qualifying tie and we’re looking at earning the ticket to the finals in Cameroon. But we’ve to work hard for that ticket, we’ve to get past Zambia.
“We’re really prepared for it and want to come out with a good result at Rufaro. But I must admit it’s a very tough game. Obviously progressing from the first round or from any other round to the next it means the competition gets tougher.
“For Zambia to get to the last qualifying round they beat Namibia which means they’re a good side.
“So we’re fighting for the ticket to Cameroon and at the end of the day the team that gets it right tactically will win the game,” Sibanda said.
In their last meeting in the Olympic Games qualifiers last year, Zimbabwe beat Zambia on away goals rule to proceed to the third round.
The match had ended 2-2 on aggregate after Zambia won the first leg 2-1 in Lusaka but lost 1-0 at Rufaro.
Speaking soon after their arrival at the Harare International Airport yesterday, Zambia’s coach, Albert Kachinga said they are not reading much in the past games.
“I would say that there hasn’t been too many changes per se in my team but we’ve just incorporated a few young girls. And then we’ve brought back a few experienced players, so that we can keep the balance in the team.
“I think there’s been a massive improvement in my team considering that we beat Namibia, who beat us in the Afcon. And I think we convincingly beat them, so we’re also looking forward to this game.
“I know it’ll be a tough game, Zimbabwe are a good side, they gave us a good run last year but we’re looking forward to the game. The whole team’s good,” he said.
Zimbabwe Squad
Goalkeepers: Chido Dzingirai (Flame Lily), Lindiwe Magwede (Cyclone Stars), Manyara Mandara (Mwenezana), Amanda Banda (Chapungu).
Defenders: Nobuhle Majika (Inline Academy), Sheila Makoto (Blue Swallows), Eunice Chibanda, Lynett Mutokuto, Patience Mujuru, Rufaro Machingura (all Black Rhinos) Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri, Florence Maponga (Mufakose), Danai Bhobho (Mwenezana).
Midfielders: Emmaculate Msipa, Viola Ndlovu, Talent Mandaza, Daisy Kaitano (all Black Rhinos), Marjory Nyaumwe (Flame Lily), Greater Bhande (Cyclone Stars), Mavis Chirandu (Weerams), Bokani Sibanda (Hwange).
Strikers: Felistas Muzongondi (Mwenezana), Erina Jeke, Samkelisiwe Zulu, Berita Kabwe (Flame Lily), Kudakwashe Basopo (Black Rhinos), Sibonginkosi Nleya (Chapungu), Priviledge Mupeti (Inline).
derick.khumalo