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WHAT a super show!
The Mighty Warriors turned on the power at Rufaro yesterday with a super performance as they stormed into the semi-finals of the Cosafa Wo-men’s Championships with a show that delighted their fans.

With Fifa president Sepp Blatter and secretary-general Jerome Valcke sitting in the VIP Tribune at Rufaro, the Mighty Warriors were simply irresistible as they produced a show for the archives.
Blatter was charmed by the Mighty Warriors’ show.
“During my visit to Zimbabwe, I have been impressed mostly by the women’s football,” he said.

“The game we saw today was great. The women played very well, they had flair and technique throughout the attack.
“I am talking about the attacking play because that was the position I played and I will not talk about the defending.
Striker Rufaro Machingura stole the show when she scored five goals in the 8th minute, 51st minute, 60th minute, 69th minute and 74th minute while midfielder Nokuthula Ndlovu had a brace, scoring in the 19th minute and 29th minute.

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Midfielder Talent Mandaza added another goal in the 27th minute.
And Machingura, basking in the glory of her goal-feast, said this was a dream come true.
“I am very happy that I scored five goals. I didn’t expect it,” she said.

“I did what I was told by the coaches to use my body, height and power.
“And the support I got from the fans cheered me up and spurred me to score more goals.”
The good crowd which turned up for the match, which was free of charge, cheered the Fifa boss who went onto the pitch to meet the players at half-time and later left during the second half.

And Blatter duly responded by waving back to the crowd, sending Rufaro into frenzy.
Blatter unveiled the Win in Africa with Africa artificial turf plaque at half-time before going onto the pitch for the ground breaking ceremony and photo shoot with the players of both teams.
The Mighty Warriors appeared to react to Blatter’s presence and Machingura fired them into the lead when he connected a pass from fellow striker Erina Jeke.

But Zimbabwe’s joy was short-lived as Malawi equalised in the 18th minute through skipper Linda Kasenda.
The Mighty Warriors’ goalkeeper failed to read the long ball, which was flighted from the flank, and it bounced in front of her and straight into the nets.
And, in a quick counter attack, the Mighty Warriors went ahead again a minute later when veteran midfielder Ndlovu drove the ball home.

But, two minutes later, Malawi captain Kasenda returned to haunt Zimbabwe’s porous defence after right back Eunice Chibanda had failed to clear her lines.
Zimbabwe surged ahead again six minutes later when Mandaza fired home a beauty from about 30 metres.
Two minutes later, Ndlovu got her second for the day when she rounded Malawi ‘keeper Thoko Mwase, leaving her for dead, before firing into empty net to finish a superb move, which was started by Machingura.

Five minutes after the restart, gangly striker Machingura got her second of the day when she converted a free-kick from just outside the box.
With Zimbabwe firing from all angles, passing the ball around with aplomb and finding acres of space in the Malawian defence, it was only a mystery that the scoreline remained in single digits.
At the stroke of the hour Machingura, who interestingly was converted into a forward from a defender by the coaches, grabbed her third goal when she dribbled her way past Malawian defence and knocked the ball

home to send the crowd into delirium.
But she was not finished and, nine minutes later, she found the target again after a fine cross from Tsitsi Mairosi.

The hardworking Mairosi was all over the pitch and hardly put a foot wrong, whipping in some fine crosses from the wing and finding her targets.
And five minutes later, Machingura scored her fifth and the last goal of the day.

The job had been done and Zimbabwe and could afford playing to the gallery in the remaining minutes.
Mighty Warriors’ coach Rose Mugadza said she was happy but the job is far from over and wasn’t amused by her defence.

“We are happy that today we managed to play well but it is not over until the final game,” said Mugadza.
“It is possible to win the Cosafa Cup. But I am not happy after conceding two goals from the blunders of the goalkeeper and defence.

“We are going flat out to win our last match today against Mozambique and obviously we will rest some players and make some changes to the team.”
Malawi coach Richard Chipungu said they were still in the hunt for a place in the semi-finals.

“Tomorrow, we play against Lesotho and hopefully we will bounce back.
“In today’s match we felt somehow hard done by the referee and frustration crept into the players.

“Some of the goals scored by Zimbabwe were offsides and this referee (Zambian Gladys Lengwe) is the same who officiated in our match against Mozambique and had some decisions against us so we wonder what it means,” said Chipungu.

Teams
Zimbabwe:
O. Chingawo, P. Mujuru, R. Mutyavaviri, N. Majika, E. Chibanda, T. Mandaza (E. Msipa 76th minute), N. Ndlovu (S. Makoto 80th minute), T. Mairosi, M. Nyaumwe, E. Jeke (K. Basopo 61st minute), R. Machingura.
Malawi:
T. Mwase, T. Kasiya, M. Mkandawire(T. Bokosi 57th minute), C. Chkondi, R. Malunjika(R. Phiri 57th minute), B. Mkuzilile, L. Chipili, S. Msiska, L. Kasenda, T. Chawinga, P. Sinjani (L. Nyakamera 66th minute).