The Sunday Mail
The Mighty Warriors insist it’s not over yet despite making their own life difficult after falling 0-1 to Zambia at Rufaro Stadium last week. The senior women’s national soccer team believe that they have enough in the armoury to stun the She-polopolo in Lusaka next weekend.A two-goal margin triumph will see Zimbabwe booking a ticket to the African Women’s Championship set for Namibia in October. Defender Patience Mujuru, who was culpable when Zambia scored what turned out to be the winning goal, declares that the hosts will get a “taste of their own medicine.” A breakdown in communication between Mujuru and Melody Musasa gifted Zambia’s Hellen Mubanga with a chance to slot home the priceless goal. “If the Zambians believe they have this one in the bag, they are dreaming . . . it’s not over yet,” said the defender who is referred to as “Amai Mujuru” by her teammates.
“The game on Sunday was just the first half and we will be going to Lusaka to play the second half. We are working hard at training and the results will show when we play Zambia next weekend.”
Qualification for the AWC will also give the Mighty Warriors a chance to fight for a ticket to the Women’s World Cup tournament pencilled in for Canada next year.
Musasa said the defeat was a wake-up call for the team. “We are not looking down because we lost. Every champion has to fall at some point. But it is how you rise from the defeat that matters.
“We are going to win at all costs and we are promising a win to the Zimbabwean fans,” she said. Defender Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri and striker Rutendo Makore will not be part of the team after suffering knee injuries. Tafadzwa Tsunguro, an Aces Academy product, and Sicelo Dube have since been called up as replacements.
Assistant coach Johannes Chikaola disclosed that their training over the past week focused on ball possession.
“We lost possession unnecessarily during the first leg so we were working on oiling our midfield. Apart from keeping possession we also need to make sure that we create chances for our strikers,” he said.
Speaking after his team’s triumph, Zambian coach Charles Bwale disclosed that his girls had over-achieved and expressed confidence that his team will hold their own in the return leg.
“Before we came here our objective was to get a draw or maybe just to score a goal and I think we have done it. And if you look at the Zimbabweans they have got a very good side and I think they gave us a good challenge. I just want to thank my girls; they have done a very good job.
“Zimbabwe have been in the Afcon for maybe twice and we have never been there and now beating Zimbabwe gives us belief,” he said.
