Ellina Mhlanga Harare Bureau
MIGHTY Warriors coach, Shadreck Mlauzi, says a win against Zambia this afternoon in the first leg of the last qualifying round of the Africa Women Cup of Nations will make life easier for them when they go to Lusaka.
Zimbabwe take on Zambia this afternoon at Rufaro at 3pm.
“It’s important to impose our own style of play. We know we’re up against a team that’s physical, so we’ve been working with the girls to play possession-based football that’s the approach.
“If things work our way and if the girls are on fire that should be our approach and at the end of the day we’re hoping for maybe a 2-0 cushion going into the reverse fixture on Sunday.
“From the response we’ve seen at training the guys are looking very sharp. We should be able to get the result that we want for the first leg and hopefully consolidate when we go away from home,” said Mlauzi.
Zimbabwe beat Zambia on away goals rule in their last meeting during the Olympic Games qualifiers second round, last year.
“It’s a matter of balancing our attacking and our defence. It’s not going to be an easy match. But we’re hoping that this time around the fortunes will favour us,” Mlauzi said.
The Mighty Warriors coach retained almost the same team that played Tanzania and made two changes as he is missing chief striker Rudo Neshamba, who is out because of a persistent knee injury and defender, Eunice Chibanda is suspended for this game.
Chibanda picked two yellow cards in their games against Tanzania.
And she will be replaced by seasoned defender, Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri, who has been on the sidelines because of a knee injury she sustained in May 2014 during the African qualifiers.
Her first call-up since then was early March this year ahead of the second leg against Tanzania in the opening round of the qualifiers but did not make it into the final team then.
Samkelisiwe Zulu comes in for Neshamba.
Mlauzi is confident her charges will deliver the much needed result despite the few setbacks.
“The system is bigger than any individual. We believe as a technical team when we assemble a 30-member squad, every player that we call into camp should be ready anytime to do the nation proud.
“So yes all players have their strength and weaknesses. The players that we’ve brought in to fill their shoes hopefully, they will do the job,” said Mlauzi.
Mutyavaviri said she is looking forward to the game and is ready to go as she bounces back into the team.
“I thank God for that call-up. I’m ready and I’m not under pressure. I’ll just play my normal game. Self-confidence is key for us as players and I don’t think there are any major changes to the team (Zambia). We’re expecting to play as a team tomorrow, that’s our strength.,” said Mutyavaviri.
Zambia’s coach, Albert Kachinga, said they were ready.
Zifa have set the gate charges at $5 for the VIP, $3 for the upper grandstand and $1 for the rest of the ground.
Final Team
Goalkeepers: Chido Dzingirai, Lindiwe Magwede.
Defenders: Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri, Sheila Makoto, Nobuhle Majika, Lynett Mutokuto, Patience Mujuru, Nobukhosi Ncube.
Midfielders: Daisy Kaitano, Emmaculate Msipa, Greater Bhande, Mavis Chirandu, Talent Mandaza, Marjory Nyaumwe.
Strikers: Felistas Muzongondi, Erina Jeke, Kudakwashe Bhasopo, Samkelisiwe Zulu.