Mighty Warriors assistant coach Yohanne Chikaola has admitted the absence of main strikers especially Rufaro Machingura for the African Women Championship second leg qualifier against Nigeria tomorrow in Lagos has crippled the team but said the replacements are capable of doing the job.
Machingura and fellow striker Rutendo Makore are out of the team that travelled to Nigeria due to injuries.
“It’s definitely a big blow considering we are looking for goals in this match.
“We needed Rufaro’s presence in the box. She caused some problems in the first leg.
“But there is nothing much we can do right now, we will have to work with what we have. I believe the strikers in camp are equally capable of scoring goals,” said Chikaola.
Rudo Neshamba and Erina Jeke are the only recognisable strikers left in the team while Kuda Bhasopo has been converted to a defensive midfielder.
“Those two have scored crucial goals for us in this campaign and I have no reason to doubt that they can rise to the occasion,” he added.
Zimbabwe, who are saddled with a 2-0 deficit from the first leg, arrived in the West African state on Wednesday night.
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They had two training sessions at the match venue-Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos- yesterday. The winner on aggregate qualifies for the finals to be hosted by Equatorial Guinea.
Meanwhile, Caf has appointed referees from West Africa to handle the match.
Guinean referee Therese Sagno will be at the centre with compatriots Doussou Sakho, Fatoumata Toure and Aissata Keita (fourth official) assisting her.
The match commissioner is Floriane Affoutou from Benin.
