MIGHTY Warriors coach Shadreck Mlauzi has hailed the resilience of his team which defied expectation to return home from Cameroon with an away goal putting them in a strong position to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympic finals.
BY HENRY MHARA
Mlauzi’s team lost the match 2-1 despite having arrived in Cameroon a few hours before kick-off. They were also in camp for just three days preparing for this match.
Rudo Neshamba gave Zimbabwe a sixth minute lead, but the Cameroonians, who advanced to the knockout stage in their maiden appearance at the Fifa Women’s World Cup in Canada, a few months ago, rallied back in the second half with Madeleine Mani scoring a brace.
The two teams meet in Harare in a fortnight for the decisive second leg match, where they both will be seeking to make history by qualifying for the Olympics.
A 1-0 win or any two goal margin victory would see Mlauzi’s team progress, while Cameroon will need to avoid defeat to go through.
The Mighty Warriors team arrived back in the country in the early hours of yesterday.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Speaking to NewsDay Sport Mlauzi said his side holds the aces going into the decisive match and believes with adequate preparations, Cameroon can be beaten.
“The players were gallant and must be commended for getting such a result against Cameroon in their own back yard. The result could have been better but we have to be grateful for what we got,” he said.
“It was a good game; the girls gave a good performance under the circumstances. The preparations and the travelling arrangements were not ideal.
Technically the team was top notch, but they could not hold onto their lead because of fatigue. We only arrived at 2am in Cameroon and fatigue was bound to affect us.
“Cameroon also became very physical later in the match and I feel the match officials were not protecting my players. We conceded the second goal when two of my players were outside the pitch being attended by the medical team.”
The former Inline Academy coach wants the team to stay in camp until the second leg match.
“They are a very good side, but not indomitable. Technically I thought we were the better side for most parts of the match. The chances of qualifying are bright. We are on the verge of qualifying and we need everyone’s support now. We are urging individuals, corporates and the government to come through and help the girls with financial and material things while in camp and until we play our match,” said Mlauzi.
