Proud Mighty Warriors take on Australia at Rio Olympics

Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors conclude their group matches at the ongoing Olympic Games tonight when they take on fifth ranked Australia at Fonte Nova Arena, Salvador hoping for to put up another good fight.

Zimbabwe are anchoring Group F as they are yet to get a point having suffered two defeats against the world’s second best team, Germany, and the 10th-ranked Canada last week.

Canada leads the group with six points and clash against Germany, who are second with four points in the other final group game. Mighty Warriors’ assistant coach, Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda, said she expected another courageous show from her players.

“Like any other game we want our players to go out and compete as they did in the last two matches. Play their best and market themselves and represent their country with pride,” said Sibanda.

Some of the players who have had some good moments in the past two games include leftback Sheila Makoto, striker Rutendo Makore, Kudakwashe Basopo, who scored against Germany and midfielder Mavis Chirandu, who rose from the bench to score Zimbabwe’s only goal against Canada.

Zimbabwe lost 1-6 to Germany in their opener last Wednesday and for their second game they went down 1-3 to Canada on Saturday.

The Australian women football team, nicknamed the Matildas, lost their first encounter to Canada 0-2. They then drew 2-2 against Germany in their second game.

Speaking at a press conference after the match against Canada on Saturday, Mighty Warriors’ coach, Shadreck Mlauzi said he is proud of his charges as they have played their part and won the hearts of the fans.

“I am a highly ambitious person, so ambitious that I am not realistic with my expectations, that’s the weakness that I have.

“So, at the end of the day, I am born to win but when I see my players performing at these levels like what we have just done in these two games, one can only be proud, happy and hope knowing that they have played their part in the national development of football,” Mlauzi said.

Zimbabwe are competing at the Games for the first time and have so far registered two goals from the last two games. Australia have been to the Games before in 2000 and 2004. Their best result was in the 2004 when they reached the quarter finals. The Chronicle