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WOMEN ON A MISSION . . . Part of the Mighty Warriors team that left for Ghana yesterday ahead of their All-Africa Games tie on Saturday

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
MIGHTY Warriors captain Felistas “Figo” Muzongondi is optimistic they will upset the Black Queens of Ghana when they clash in the final round of the All-Africa Games qualifiers in Accra this weekend.

The senior women national team left for Ghana yesterday ahead of Saturday’s encounter at Accra Stadium.

The Mighty Warriors need at least a draw away from home hoping they will win the return leg to be played in two weeks time in Harare if they are entertaining any hopes of progressing to the Games scheduled for September 4 to 19 in Brazzaville, Congo.

Zimbabwe have a tough task ahead of them with the Black Queens rated as one of the strong women football teams in Africa and they spent a month in camp for this game while the Mighty Warriors had only 10 days to train.

However, captain, Muzongondi is optimistic they can pull a surprise on Saturday when the two teams clash at Accra Stadium.

“We have played Ghana before in Maputo All-Africa Games 2011, so it’s not a new game to us because we know their game and the coaches have been working on it. We as players are encouraging each other to have maximum concentration because last time we were beaten in the 95th minute.

“This is the final round so we have to win this game so that we can go to the finals of the All-Africa Games. If we lose this game it means we are out, so I think we are going to take this match seriously so that we can go to Brazzaville Congo.

“We are away on this match so basically we don’t have to concede because we are away and we know all what happens when you are away but when we come to our home we have to work on scoring more goals but when it is away we have to work more on defending so that we don’t concede many goals.

“We have a good chance of winning, we know they are a good team they have gone to the All-Africa Games before, they have gone to the World Cup but that doesn’t matter we are Zimbabweans and we will do our best,” said Muzongondi.

Seasoned striker Rudo Neshamba said they have nothing to fear and they will be out to get maximum points against the West Africans.

“We have a tough encounter ahead of us. The team (Ghana) they are very good and I believe they have been in camp for quite a long time now but we are going to give it our all so that we qualify for the All-Africa Games.

“I can say it will be an advantage but to a lesser extent they will be having a greater advantage because they will be at home. So we are going to make sure that we get maximum points, if not a draw so that when we come back home we have a little bit of advantage as well.

“It is going to come to play because we have been there before, we know how it is and we have nothing to fear,” said Neshamba.

Coach, Rosemary Mugadza said if her charges maintain a positive attitude for this game they well do well.

“We are not taking it lightly, it’s going to be a very tough match but if they apply themselves the way they have been doing during our training matches it’s looking positive. We hope that they will continue to work as a team and they have been pushing each other since day one and this is exactly what we expect them to do,” said Mugadza.

According to the Ghana Football Association website fans will watch the match free of charge.

Zimbabwe Team:

Chido Dzingirai, Deliwe Makaha, Bokani Sibanda, Emmaculate Msipa, Chido, Mahara, Felistas Muzongondi, Marjory Nyaumwe, Erina Jeke, Samkheliswe Zulu, Violet Bepete, Patience Mujuru, Rufaro Machingura, Mavis Chirandu, Moleen Murandu, Rudo Neshamba, Nobuhle Majika, Rejoice Kamupfumvuti, Sheila Makoto.