Sibanda hails Rutendo Makore Sithethelelwe Sibanda
Sithethelelwe Sibanda

Sithethelelwe Sibanda

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
AS Zimbabwe prepares to take on Kenya tomorrow in the COSAFA Women’s Championship semi-finals at Barbourfields, coach Sithethelelwe Sibanda has hailed striker Rutendo Makore for her outstanding performance so far.

The Mighty Warriors forward has been on fire, scoring all the eight goals for the side in the last three games in Group A. Zimbabwe made it to the last four as the best runners-up. And a win tomorrow means they will have a chance to fight for the title they claimed in 2011 for the first time when they played hosts to the regional tournament.

Makore netted four goals against Madagascar in their opening encounter last Wednesday. She then equalised for Zimbabwe in their 1-1 draw against old rivals Zambia. And on Sunday she was on fire again, scoring a hat-trick in another draw against Malawi.

Sibanda said with Makore coming in as the senior striker, in the team that is also featuring young players such as Priviledge Mupeti and Susan Nyama, she has had to lead from the front.

“As we know most of the senior strikers who played with Makore are injured, that leaves Makore as the senior striker to lead the youngsters.

“And so far she has done very well, we applaud that and we want her to keep on leading the pack.

“She is on top of her game in this tournament. She is playing a blinder, so I think she is motivated to really keep on doing well. She has got that strong character to keep on playing,” Sibanda said.

The Mighty Warriors coach knows it’s not going to be a stroll in the park against Kenya but remains hopeful they will pull through. Zimbabwe had to wait for 24 hours to know their fate after finishing second in Group A, behind Zambia.

Vice-captain, Nobuhle Majika, conceded it has been a tough outing so far. But she challenged her teammates to raise their game if they are to make it to the final.

“The competition has been difficult because the group we were in was a tough group compared to other groups. But now it feels better, we have qualified.

“I would like to say we have to improve our defence, even the midfield. As a team we need to concentrate and work as a team. In the game against Malawi we lacked concentration, we were trying to focus but we just couldn’t. “We also need to work on scoring. For our game against Kenya we have to utilise every chance that comes our way. They are a good side, we know it’s a tough game but we don’t think it will be as tough as the group games we played and they are a bit slow.

“However, we don’t have to underrate them because they are slow, they can change their play and anything can happen in football. But I promise everyone that we are going to fight as a team,” said Majika.

The other semi-final match is between Zambia and South Africa.

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