Mighty Warriors secure advantage over Eswatini
Tadious Manyepo
THE Mighty Warriors have secured a 3-1 first-leg lead over Eswatini in an African Women Cup of Nations qualifier played at the National Sports Stadium on Wednesday.
The return fixture will be staged in Mbabane on Tuesday next week with aggregate winners set to face either Angola or Mozambique in the final qualifying round.
Marjoury Nyaumwe, Privilege Mupeti and Emmaculate Msipa scored for the home side while Eswatini got their consolation from Lesego Mokgale with all the four goals coming in the opening half.
Yet the Mighty Warriors should have harvested more goals but their finishing was way below par.
At times they looked much ordinary and a pale shadow of the side that used to boss Eswatini.
Both the score-line and their overall performance will give Eswatini some hope going into the second tie.
But coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda is adamant her charges are carrying a healthy advantage and they will come out victorious in Mbabane.
“Of course I am disappointed with how we conceded but I am confident we will carry ourselves through the line,” said Sibanda.
“We played very well, our ball circulation was up there and we could have won with a bigger margin still. But, I think we don’t have to worry much, we have the advantage and we will implement some good strategies going into the next match.”
Her Eswatini counterpart Dumisani Makhanya said his team can still overturn the deficit.
“Congratulations to Zimbabwe for winning the first leg. They played so well but we remain positive ahead of the return leg,” said Makhanya.
“Obviously it’s not going to be any easier but look, we showed some good signs in this match and we can do better at home.”
Teams
Zimbabwe
Lindiwe Magwede, Edline Mutumbami, Egness Tumbare, Emmaculate Msipa, Nobukhosi Ncube, Merjury Nyaumwe, Privilege Mupeti (Alice Moyo 59min) Maud Mapfurutse (Dinah Rose Banda 86min), Shyline Dambamuromo (Purity Mugayi 71min), Sheila Makoto, Rudo Neshamba
Eswatini
Sukholuhle Sibandze, Tenaline Ngcamphalala, Thulisile Dvuba, Celiwe Nkambule, Noxolo Malinga (Phumzile Dhlamini 30min), Lesego Mokgale, Nokuthula Dhlamini, Welile Ndwandwe, Dhlamini Kwanele (Mazwi Dube 60min), Simangele Sikhondze, Sikhanyiso Magagula(Nomvula Sanga 57min)
