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Grace Chingoma-Senior Sports Reporter

MIGHTY Warriors coach, Sithetheliwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda, says although they carry a safe lead, they are taking this afternoon’s Africa Women Cup of Nations against eSwatini in Manzini, as a fresh encounter. 

Zimbabwe carry a 3-1 advantage. 

The Mighty Warriors arrived in Eswatini on Sunday. 

Yesterday, they were able to have a feel of the match venue, which the coach described as a good pitch. 

“We take it as a new game. We have forgotten about the first leg, it has come and gone,” said Sibanda last night. 

She believes her troops are still a work in progress and need to correct some of the mistakes they made in the first leg mistakes. 

They were wanting, especially in defence, and their final touch, wasn’t up to standard.

“We try to improve on our weaknesses, and maintain the positives from the last game and, hopefully, everything will fall into place, as we have planned,” said Sibanda. 

The coach says she was likely to make one or two changes, from the team which beat Eswatini, on Wednesday. 

Tanzania-based, Danai Bhobho, is back into the team, after missing the first leg, on medical grounds. 

The Simba Queens utility player is likely to be thrown into action this afternoon. 

Zimbabwe got their three first-half goals from midfielder Marjoury Nyaumwe, Priviledge Mupeti and skipper Emmacualate Msipa, in the first leg. 

Despite the absence of injured Black Rhinos Queens striker, Rutendo “Madzimai” Makore, the coach is spoilt for choice, when it comes to players, who can score. 

Black Rhinos Queens prolific scorer Mupeti, Christabel Katona, and Harare City’s Rudo Neshamba provide the cutting edge, upfront. 

Attacking midfielders Nyaumwe and Msipa, have also proved they can weigh in with crucial goals. 

Herentals goalkeeper, Lindiwe Magwede, was in between the sticks in the first leg and the coach can opt to use Cythnia Shonga.

The Mighty Warriors are regaining their fitness levels, which have improved compared to when they got into camp last month, to prepare for the COSAFA Championships. 

Eswatini coach, Dumisani Makhanya, has since warned Zimbabwe the battle is far from over. 

“In the return game, we will plan for them, football is a game of surprises, we will plan for them properly,” he said. 

Twelve teams will qualify for the finals on Morocco next year. 

The tournament also serves as the African qualifiers to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

The top four teams from the Morocco finals will qualify for the World Cup, while two more teams will have a chance to qualify for the global showcase, if they win in the inter-confederation play-offs.