admin0-2 at home in an African Women’s Nations Cup tie by continental powerhouse Nigeria.
The reverse leg is on in Nigeria on June 17 and the good money is on the Nigerians not only going through but also doing so in comprehensive fashion.
The Nigerians, who left Harare yesterday, have a friendly international date against Banyana Banyana, who also won this weekend, as part of their preparations for the return leg against Zimbabwe.
The Mighty Warriors took comfort in that they played well and, at times, matched the African champions in all departments.
“We made it difficult for ourselves by conceding goals, soft I should say,” said Jongwe.
“The only encouraging thing is that the team played reasonably well and most of the times we reduced them to an ordinary side.
“There is still 90 minutes to play, it’s difficult but we haven’t thrown in the towel.
“Even if we are to be knocked out, we want to leave a positive mark. Nigeria is no longer as strong as they used to be and our team has improved so much.
“We may beat them in their backyard but the margin may be not good enough for us to progress.”
The gaffer said although their defence was better organised than in the Mighty Warriors’ previous matches, it still let them down.
“I felt time and again our defence was not as compact as we would have wanted,” said Jongwe.
“The fullback didn’t perform as we had expected. And it appears Ruvimbo (Mutyavaviri) was not getting enough game time in Sweden.
“The midfielders played exceptionally well, Figo (Felistas Muzongondi) and Majoury Nyaumwe, while Kuda (Basopo) tended to be too defensive as she is still adapting to the new position.
“And it was unfortunate that one of our senior players, Marhoo (Nokuthula Ndlovu), was just not in the game.”
While the Mighty Warriors failed to find the target, Jongwe said the strikers did well and were unlucky not to be rewarded with a goal.
“The strikers shot at goal, with the supply they got, they did well,” said Jongwe.
“They were shooting and getting into strategic positions. Rudo’ runs troubled the opposition and, after the short break, we will continue to work on these areas.
“But that is one of the most spirited performance by the Mighty Warriors against Nigeria. I don’t think they have done that before.”
It was also bad weekend for most of the Southern Africa teams with only 2012 London Olympics-bound South Africa posting an impressive 3-1 away victory to Zambia in Lusaka. Mozambique were thrashed 0-7 by Cote d’Ivoire in Abidjan.
Results: Zimbabwe 0, Nigeria 2; Zambia 1, South Africa 3; Cote d’Ivoire 7, Mozambique 0; Ethiopia 2, Tanzania 1; Morocco 0, Senegal 0; Ghana 1, Cameroon 1.
Online Reporter