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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
MIGHTY Warriors coach Shadreck Mlauzi is a worried man following a spate of injuries that have hit his camp first choice goalkeeper Chido Dzingirai and midfielder Rejoice Kapfumvuti becoming the latest casualties.

Zimbabwe host Tanzania at Rufaro on Sunday in the return leg of the Africa Women Cup of Nations first round qualifier.

Both Dzingirai and Kapfumvuti featured in the 2-1 first leg victory over Tanzania in Dar es Salaam but are now being dogged by injuries and and Mlauzi is concerned at the time left for the pair to recover.

“We are worried Chido Dzingirai has not been training for the past two days. She has a knee problem. The doctors are looking at her and Rejoice Kapfumvuti has also a knee injury but the others are okay.

“Rudo has a knee injury but she is okay, it’s not too bad. She picked a knock during training but she looks okay now and looks very sharp.

“She (Dzingirai) is our number one goalkeeper but Lindiwe (Magwede) is also good.

“We will keep monitoring Chido but in the event that she does not recover we don’t have to risk. We have capable replacements,” said Mlauzi.

The women’s team played Harare City’s Under-17s yesterday in a practice match and lost 1-3 at Rufaro.

Mlauzi said they were using the match to assess their team ahead of Sunday’s match and said they are satisfied with the way their charges applied themselves.

“Of course we look beyond the result. We are working on combinations. There are certain elements of play that we were particularly looking on so at the end of the day we give the girls thumbs up because they managed to do the application well.

“We are looking forward to Sunday’s game although we have certain things we need to work on such as defending, dealing with crosses and sometimes the level of concentration was not as we expected.

“But we were playing boys who were much quicker. The girls played good football and as always we are looking forward to give our best on Sunday,” said Mlauzi.

According to the Tanzania Football Federation website, their team is expected to travel to Harare on Friday.

If the first leg results are anything to go by then the Mighty Warriors are likely to meet Zambia in the final qualifying round.

Zambia beat Namibia 3-1 at Nkoloma stadium in the first leg.

The two teams meet tomorrow for the second leg at Sam Nujoma stadium in Windhoek, Namibia.

Provisional Mighty Warriors squad:

Goalkeepers: Chido Dzingirai, (Flame Lily), Lindiwe Magwede (Cyclone Stars), Vanessa Lunga (Black Rhinos), Shebba Rauli (Auckland).

Defenders: Nobuhle Majika (Inline Academy), Sheila Makoto (Blue Swallows), Eunice Chibanda, Lynett Mutokuto, Patience Mujuru (all Black Rhinos), Nobukhosi Ncube (New Orleans), Sarudzai Chikowore (Conduit), Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri (Mufakose).

Midfielders: Emmaculate Msipa, Talent Mandaza, Viola Ndlovu, Daisy Kaitano (all Black Rhinos), Rejoice Kapfumvuti (Inline Academy), Felistas Muzongondi (Mwenezana), Marjory Nyaumwe (Flame Lily), Greater Bhande (Cyclone Stars), Mavis Chirandu (Weerams), Peacemore Kenende (New Orleans).

Strikers: Rudo Neshamba (Weerams), Erina Jeke (Flame Lily), Sibonginkosi Nleya (Chapungu), Kudakwashe Bhasopo (Black Rhinos).