As the Mighty Warriors enter the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos for the first and final round, second leg fixture of the African Women Championships against Nigerias Super Falcons this afternoon, coach Rosemary Mugadza has waved the magic wand of confidence in the hope of upsetting their more fancied opponents.
Kickoff is 5pm Zimbabwe time. The Super Falcons, who are ranked the best team in Africa and the competitions defending champions, won the first leg 2-0 in Harare three weeks ago and are heavily tipped to go through to the finals to be staged in Equatorial Guinea.
Although the hosts are huge favourites heading into the match, Mugadza is confident of her teams chances.
This is a new game altogether. If they did it in Zimbabwe, we can also turn the tables here. Given the morale in camp, I think we are ready for the match and would possibly get the goals we want to qualify for the Women Championships, said Mugadza.
Mugadza recognised that her opponents were slow and thus had made five changes to the team that battled in Harare in a bid to add mobility to her squad.
Sheila Makoto has replaced Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri at the left-back position while Viola Ndlovu, who later came in for Mutyavaviri in the first leg, has been handed the right-back position. Nobuhle Majika, who played the last match as a right-back has been moved back into the heart of the defence and will partner Danai Bhobho.
Defensive midfielder Emmaculate Msipa has also made a return to the first eleven, pushing Kudakwashe Bhasopo, who played in that position in the first leg, upfront.
Left-sided midfielder Nokuthula Ndlovu was a major doubt for the match as she sat out the training session in the morning with a muscle problem. Mugadza named her in her provisional eleven. In the event that Ndlovu fails to recover, Mugadza said she might deploy Mutyavaviri or Erina Jeke in that position.
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In terms of pace, we are quicker than them, so thats the reason for the changes in the team. Since the day we regrouped we have been mainly working in that aspect and we have also been working on our finishing. If we can take our chances, I believe we can beat the Nigerians, added the former Mighty Warriors captain.
Mugadza said the absence of main strikers Rufaro Machingura and Rutendo Makore had disturbed her preparations, but believed the replacements would do the job. The aggregate winner will qualify for the finals.
The match will be handled by Guinea referee Therese Sagno, who will be assisted by fellow countrymen Doussou Sakho and Fatoumata while Aissata Keta will be the fourth official. The match commissioner is Floriane Affoutou from the Republic of Benin.
Probable line-up
Onai Chingawo, Nobuhle Majika, Shela Makoto, Danai Bhobho, Viola Ndlovu, Emmaculate Msipa, Merjury Nyaumwe, Felistas Muzongondi, Rudo Neshamba, Kudakwashe Bhasopo, Nokuthula Ndlovu.
