Mighty Warriors fall short in the semis

Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor

ZIMBABWE will fight for the bronze at the ongoing COSAFA Women’s Championship after a one-nil loss to Zambia in the semi-finals of the regional tournament in South Africa this Friday.

The two sides came into the match with the same record having garnered 7 points in the group stage.

It was however the much-fancied Copper Queens, featuring 7 players from their World Cup squad who emerged victorious playing a Mighty Warriors squad shaking off the rust after an 18-month absence from international football.

Zimbabwe could have taken the lead at the stroke of halftime after Privilege Mupeti was sent through by Christabel Katona only to shoot straight at the goalkeeper.

A minute later, captain Rudo Neshamba failed to latch onto a pass from Mupeti with the Zambian defence scrambling.

Zambia took the lead courtesy of some slick movement by midfielder Sarah Jere just after the breather.

The Copper Queens held on as the Mighty Warriors failed to find an equaliser.

Mighty Warriors Captain Rudo Neshamba was satisfied with the team’s effort after a long layoff.

“Yes, we would have lived to go all the way but still we are satisfied with how we have competed in this tournament and we have laid the foundation for future qualifiers and upcoming internationals,” she said.

Assistant coach, Yohane Chikaola who was in the dugout after head coach Shadreck Mlauzi opted to sit in the stands in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations, echoed the captain’s sentiments.

“I am very proud of the girls we came here straight from the international ban, they didn’t have many training sessions but if you see the way the team has performed one can only be proud and believe that in future competitions we will do better,” she said.

Zimbabwe will play in the third-place playoff this Sunday.