Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
MIGHTY Warriors coach Rosemary Mugadza has recalled Eunice Chibanda to beef up her strike-force ahead of their Olympic Games qualifier return leg against Zambia this Sunday at Rufaro.

Chibanda last played for the Mighty Warriors in 2013 against Uruguay when they toured the South American country.

Zimbabwe lost 1-2 to Zambia in the first leg.

The Mighty Warriors need, at least, a 1-0 win over Zambia to progress to the next round after they snatched an away goal through Rudo Neshamba.

However, this might prove to be a tough task for the side.

When they played Ghana in the African Games qualifiers, they put up a spirited fight in Accra to get a crucial away goal only to be held to a 2-2 draw at home that saw them bowing out of the Games.

Last year, Zimbabwe were eliminated from the African Women Championships by Zambia when they lost 0-1 at Rufaro.

They went on to lose by the same margin in Zambia in the return leg and Sunday’s defeat was imminent taking into account the team’s poor preparations for the tie. The Mighty Warriors, however, returned to training on Tuesday after their arrival on Monday from Zambia with Mugadza adding Black Rhinos’ Chibanda to her squad in preparation of the crucial tie. Mugadza also roped in Mufakose Queens goalkeeper Hilda Marange to replace Deliwe Makaha, who is attending to her sick mother.

“We have added Eunice Chibanda and Hilda Marange. We are now working with our strike force because if you look at our game in Zambia our defence and midfielders did well but the strikers were not hungry to score.

“They did not come to the party.

“Eunice is coming in to give cover for the strike-force and Deliwe left because her mom is not feeling well,” said Mugadza.

Mugadza said she expects her charges to learn from their mistakes and work on those grey areas ahead of Sunday’s game.

“We want players who fight for the ball and what I can say is Zambia have the fighting spirit, the moment they lose they regroup and their level of fitness is above us. “But, in terms of ball possession, we are better than them and it is only that eagerness that we are lacking as a team.

Provisional Team

Chido Dzingirai, Process Chatsamwa, Hilda Marange, Patience Mujuru, Nobuhle Majika, Sheila Makoto, Melody Musasa, Moleen Murandu, Fortunate Kandarira, Emmaculate Msipa, Talent Mandaza, Felistas Muzongondi, Marjory Nyaumwe, Rejoyce Kapfumvuti, Samukeliso Zulu, Mavis Chirandu, Chido Muhara, Erina Jeke, Rudo Neshamba, Tafadzwa Tsunguro, Berita Kabwe, Maud Mafurutsa, Realise Maphosa, Violet Bepete, Bokani Sibanda, Eunice Chibanda.

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