Mighty Warriors thumped by South Africa

By Grace Chingoma

South Africa………………. (1) 4 Zimbabwe………………………0

Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors received a rude awakening on their return to the international fold when they were hammered by a fired up Banyana Banyana in a friendly match before a full house at Makhulong stadium in the sprawling suburb of Tembisa on Sunday.

South Africa were using the match to gauge their preparedness for the African Women’s Championships which they will be hosting from October 31. The two-week tournament will see two teams qualifying to represent Africa at the Germany 2011 Women Soccer World Cup. Banyana Banyana are keen to use home advantage and qualify for the World Cup showpiece for first time.

And yesterday they turned on the power on regional rivals Zimbabwe in the second half after the visitors had appeared to hold on for much of the opening period. Veteran striker Noko Matlou’s grounder struck deep into injury time beat the half time whistle to give Banyana Banyana their opener.

The striker who has scored 34 goals in 40 appearances for the national team fired home after receiving a ball on the left flank and gave no chance to Zimbabwe goalkeeper Chido Dzingirai who up until that minute had managed to keep the hosts at bay with some fine saves.

But it was a different story in the second half when Banyana Banyana made three changes that finally gave them the cutting edge they had been lacking. Striker Mampasha scored in the 77th minute, taking advantage of some poor marking by the visitors.

Two minutes later midfielder Amanda Dlamini stretched Banyana’s lead while Jermaine Seoposenwe dashed any hopes of a comeback by Zimbabwe when she coolly slotted the ball past Dzingirai, off a through ball from substitute Gabisile Hlumbane in the 87th minute.

President Jacob Zuma was the guest of honour at this friendly international and in his speech at half time the South African leader urged South Africans to rally behind the women’s team when they take part in the Championships.

Teams:

South Africa: T. Mndaweni, S Masina, A. Sister, Y. Jafta, N. Modiko, E. Matjila, M. Ntsweng(J. Wyk 46th minute), N. Skiti (J. Seoposenwe 72nd minute), M. Makhabane (G. Hlumbane 46th minute), N. Matlau (S. Mollo 82nd minute), L. Smeda (M. Popela 46th minute).

Zimbabwe: C. Dzingirai, R. Machingura, N. Sibanda, S. Makoto, N. Moyo, T. Mairosi, E. Chaparangana 82nd minute), J. Lunga (M. Mbewe 73rd minute), N. Mharakurwa (V. Bepete 82nd minute), N. Ndlovu, E. Jeke, R. Makore.