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Young Mighty Warriors singing the national anthem just before taking on Namibia at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday

Sibhekisipho Fayayo Sports Reporter
Namibia 1-2 Zimbabwe
ZIMBABWE’S Under-20 women soccer team got off to a flying start as they edged their Namibian counterparts in the opening AUSC Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games Group A match played at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.

The Young Mighty Warriors got their goals through enterprising forward Ethel Chinyerere in the 16th minute and Greater Bande three minutes later while Namibia got theirs in the 45th minute through the boot of Memory Ngonda.

The match got off to a flying start with some beautiful exchange of passes in the middle of the park.

However, it was Zimbabwe who settled down first and deservedly shot into the lead through Chinyerere’s header off a Nomazulu Tshuma cross.

Tshuma made light work of a Namibian defender on the left flank before sending in a cross which was nodded home by Chinyerere, beating Mellisa Mathews in goal for the Namibians.

Zimbabwe made it two nil three minutes later through Bande after some fine interplay with impressive captain Mavis Chirandu.

The skipper collected the ball inside her half before releasing Bande who in turn obliged by returning the pass to the captain on the edge of Namibia’s box.  When everyone was expecting Chirandu to let loose a shot, she instead released Bande who tapped the ball beyond the advancing Mathews.

The goal seemed to have been the right thing the Zimbabwean team needed as they took the game to their opponents with Chirandu dictating the pace in the midfield.  The only resistance came from Annouscka Kordon who was fighting a lone battle in the midfield.

Towards halftime Namibia could have reduced the arrears but Jillian Blou’s shot was saved by Zimbabwe goalkeeper Sukoluhle Ndlovu in a one-on-one situation.

However, in the 45th minute Ndlovu could do nothing to prevent Namibia from registering a goal as Ngonda’s low shot from the edge of the box went beyond her fully stretched body into the nets.

In the second half Namibia were more determined looking for an equaliser but could not breach the Young Mighty Warriors rearguard.

In the 60th min Bernadeth Dennis could have equalized for the Namibians but she skied her effort with only the keeper to beat.

Seven minutes later Ngonda also watched her effort go over the bar with the keeper at her mercy.

In the 82th minute Zimbabwe could have killed the match as a contest when stocky Lydia Mapunhure’s thunderbolt was parried away for a corner by Mathews.

Teams

Zimbabwe: S Ndlovu, M Chirandu, N Tshuma, G Bande, H Gumbo (R Zhoya 31st min), M Marowa,C Muhara, U Mpaya, V Maradzi, E Chinyerere (M Banda 75th min), L Mapunure

Namibia: M Mathews, A Meyer, M Ngonda, A Kordom, E Narris, A Shikusho, L Mulunga, B Dennis,D Nowabes, M Hikuam, J Blou.