Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze at Ngoni, Norton
Zimbabwe 0-2 Uganda
DESPITE a heartbreaking 2-0 defeat to Uganda yesterday in the Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, head coach Lindiwe Ndlovu is confident that the Young Mighty Warriors can overturn the deficit.
Zimbabwe need to avoid conceding when they play the return on Thursday in Uganda, and also score more than two goals to progress to the second round of qualifiers alive.
If they win, they play winners between Namibia and Kenya between 22 and 31 May.
“I’m very confident, that we will turn things around in the return fixture. We have seen our weakness, and we will try to work on them because now we have an idea of our oponents that we have and we are ready,” she said.
Yesterday Uganda controlled the match from the onset.
In the 18th minute, Uganda Emmaculate Acen broke from the centre, beating the backline to pace before side swipping the goalkeeper to shake the back of the net
Seven minutes later, Zimbabwe could have levelled matters when they cruised into their own 18yards box, clinically exchanging pass before poor finishing decision stopped them.
Building from the back, in the 24th minute, Uganda found a second goal through Lydia Namaseruka after beating Zimbabwean goalkeeper Ropafadzo Mushava despite her efforts to save.
The Zimbabweans creeped back into the game, stagging tough competition against their opponents.
With some flashes of brilliant touches they finally made meaningful attempts in the 31st and 34th minutes but Ugandan Goalkeeper Adam Mayimuna Namuwaya was on toes and could not let them go past her.
By the halftime break, Zimbabwe were trailing 2-0.
Returning from the breather Zimbabwe took the front foot and controlled the game.
In the 55th minute Chiedza Khumalo found one for the Young Mighty Warriors off a rebound.
However, the referee ruled offside.
Uganda head coach, Sheryl Botes acknowledged the quality within the Zimbabwean side but revealed that her teama had done their homework and identified specified areas to capitalise on.
“Zimbabwe had a very good squad, but we identified specific areas we could exploit on, like focusing on key players like the captain (Alicia Chinyoka). We studied your (Zimbabwe) way of play during the Cosafa U-17 tournament last year and worked on that.
Qualifying nations will play the Women’s World Cup Finals in Morocco later in the year.
