Mighty Warriors coach Rosemary Mugadza has called for total concentration from her squad when they engage visiting Botswana in the Caf African Women’s Championships preliminary round second leg qualifier at Rufaro Stadium tomorrow.
Zimbabwe won the first leg 1-0 courtesy of an Erina Jeke’s header, but save for that goal — that could prove very decisive tomorrow — there was nothing much to write home about from the Mighty Warrior’s performance.
Mugadza admitted after the win in Gaborone that she was not impressed by her team’s performance. The former Mighty Warriors defender yesterday reiterated the same stance and demanded an improved show tomorrow.
“We need to win the match on Sunday (tomorrow), but we cannot win with the performance we staged in Botswana. The girls have to improve and I know they can play much better than that.
The players need to have the right attitude from the outset to the finalwhistle. I want total commitment and concentration throughout the match. We have been working very hard on that and I’m happy with what I’m seeing at training,” said Mugadza.
Mugadza said her team would look for an early goal that would certainly kill off Botswana.
“The first goal will be very crucial for either side. If Botswana scores first then they will be right back in it, but if we score first then it will be over for them. What that means is we have to defend and attack as a team. We should get an early goal and avoid to conceding.
“We are very mindful that Botswana are coming here with an attacking mind, but we have prepared for that. We have worked on our midfield and striking departments, they are very mobile.
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We know the threat that is posed by one of their wingers Ramafifi (Thuto), but we will make sure that she is not given any space to play,” added Mugadza. Goalkeeper and captain Onai Chingawo explained the team’s poor showing in Botswana, but promised a much better performance from her charges.
“After we had won against South Africa we were over-confident. We underrated them and that almost backfired. The good thing is that we managed to get an away goal.
We have learnt our lesson. We can’t afford to underrate any team, no matter how weak they seem. We have to give all our best in every match we play and that is what we are going to do on Sunday (tomorrow).
We are preparing well for the match and all players are raring to go,” said Chingawo. The Mighty Warriors team continued with their preparations for the match at the match venue and from their training session yesterday, it seems Mugadza would not temper much with the team that played in Botswana.
The only change expected is that of Nokuthula Ndlovu, who is set to replace Sheila Makoto in the left side of midfield.
The ever-reliable Merjury Nyaumwe is expected to drive the team from midfield while a lot is expected from the exciting Tsitsi Mairosi, who did most of the damage in Botswana. Striker Rudo Neshamba is set to lead the Mighty Warriors’ hunt.
The match is free of charge.
