Zimpapers Logo

Ellina Mhlanga Harare Bureau
Zimbabwe 1-0 Zambia

THE MIGHTY Warriors remained on track in their campaign to qualify for the Africa Women Cup of Nations when they narrowly beat Zambia in the first leg of the final soccer qualifier at Rufaro yesterday.

A first-half goal by striker Kudakwashe Basopo just before the half-time break kept their hopes alive as they struggled to settle in the game, especially in the opening half.

However, Mighty Warriors coach, Shadreck Mlauzi, was content with the 1-0 win over their neighbours from the north of the Zambezi River as he hailed his defenders for not conceding a goal in yesterday’s match.

“We could say we’re a good side especially our defensive aspect, we rarely concede. So going away again it’s going to be a very different ball game altogether.

“So what’s important is we’re going away with a (slender) 1-0 lead. What we wanted to avoid was that scenario where we conceded an away goal. So at the end of the day we’re happy we didn’t concede.

“So going forward I think on our side it’s plus two goals given that when we go away we’re not going to sit back, we’re still going to search for a goal and hopefully consolidate what we’ve done here,” said Mlauzi.

On her way to scoring the Mighty Warriors solitary goal yesterday, Basopo found her way past the Zambian defenders after receiving a long pass from Emmaculate Msipa and she intelligently lobbed the ball past the drawn out Zambian goalkeeper Hazel Mali.

The goal by Basopo breathed some life into the Mighty Warriors’ game as they had struggled for most of the first half and were slow to the ball.

But Zambia were also up to the task as they created some chances although they could not convert them with Barbara Banda causing some problems for the Zimbabwean defence and her effort in the 31st minute slightly went over the bar.

The visitors continued to probe the home side’s defence in the second half but to no avail.

The return leg is on Sunday at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka and Mlauzi said they need to balance between their defence and attack going into that match.

“Of course, international football is never easy. They gave us a different style as compared to the Tanzanian side. They were predominantly a physical side, they play direct football, so we’ll be able to deal with it from here on.

“It’s about that balance between attack and defence. I think our approach on the day really is centred around (us) having the right balance between defence and attack. At the same time making sure that we don’t sit back because as we saw they’re a direct side.

“But against defenders who are strong like (Nobuhle) Majika and Lynett (Mutokuto), if they play that direct style, I don’t see them scoring against us on Sunday,” Mlauzi.

Zambia’s coach, Albert Kachinga, said lack of concentration towards the end of the first half was their setback which saw them conceding the goal.

“We just went to sleep for a few seconds, it was in added time to half-time and we were thinking that maybe it was game over, so that’s how we lost it. I think it was just a bit of lack of concentration.

“It’s not game over, we still have another 90 minutes to play in Zambia, so we’ll see how it goes. It’s on Sunday so definitely we’ve to put everything.

“It’s (qualification) very important. We can’t let Zimbabwe go to the Africa Cup and then Olympics, we can’t allow them to do that,” said Kachinga.

The Zambian coach, however, was not amused by some of the referee’s decision as he could be seen confronting the match officials after Zimbabwe scored their goal.

“The referee didn’t impress (me) at all, she was biased in any case because all the decisions were going against my team which I felt wasn’t in the spirit of fair play.

“Officials need to improve, officials have to improve, if we keep on having such kind of referees then I’m sorry the game will not improve in Africa.

“We just have to plan well, play our game. But I hope the referees do their job as well,” Kachinga added.

Teams

Zimbabwe: C. Dzingirai, P. Mujuru, N. Mjika, S. Makoto, L. Mutokuto, E. Msipa, T. Mandaza, E. Jeke M Chirandu 67 minutes), K. Bhasopo (D. Kaitano 88minutes) , M. Nyaumwe, F. Muzongondi (S. Zulu 68 minutes).

Zambia: A. Kibanji, H. Mali, N. Sosala (M. Mwakapila), H. Mubanga, G. Chanda (M. Zulu 55 minutes), R. Chileshe, M. Wilombe, A. Mulenga, B. Banda (E. Mukwasa 77 minutes), G. Zulu, M. Tembo.