All eyes will be on Mighty Warriors coach Sithethelelwe Sibanda when the team takes on Angola in the 2026 Wafcon qualifier second leg match inPretoria this week following a 2 – 1 defeat in Luanda on Thursday.
The Mighty Warriors will be looking to win by a two goal margin at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday to progress to the next round of the qualifiers.
Angola forward Ary Papel scored a brace including a goal in the first minutes of the match with Israel-based striker Ruvimbo Mucherera netting the Mighty Warriors’ goal.
Angola, who are ranked 151 in the world, claimed their first win in two years and ended a run of six consecutive losses.
The defeat drew a lot of criticism on coach Sibanda and her capability of leading the team’s rebuild as they look to find a place among the best on the continent.
Sibanda blamed the team’s poor performance on the early goal which they conceded.
“That first goal that we conceded from nowhere made us play under pressure for the rest of the game and hence everyone from the start of the game struggled to gel with the whole team. But I would say as the game progressed we started playing better. In the second half we dominated also and created a lot of chances so maybe if we can rectify in terms of our finishing and taking those chances then we could be better going forward,” she said.
“A scoreline 2 -1 is a very narrow deficit that we can cover up in South Africa. We are going to work on maintaining the positives that we did and we make sure we try to stabilize defensively. I think we did not manage the distances very well, also tracking and covering for each other was a bit slow so if we can manage that and we utilize our chances that narrow lead can be overturned,” Sibanda added.
- Corporate world pledges support for women soccer league
- Ex-Mighty Warriors star dies
- Doves assumes Mighty Warrior Machingura’s burial costs
- Inside sport: Let Musona and Khama go
Keep Reading
Meanwhile, Simba Bhora founder and president Simba Ndoro has availed a bus to ferry female supporters to Pretoria to support the team.
Zifa released a statement on the development yesterday.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association extends its heartfelt appreciation to Simba Bhora Football Club and their President, Mr. Simba Ndoro, for their generous gesture in providing a bus to ferry female supporters to Pretoria for the Mighty Warriors’ crucial 2nd leg Awcon qualifier against Angola on Wednesday, 26 February,” read the statement.
Newly elected Zifa president Nqobile Magwizi paid tribute to Ndoro for the gesture.
"This act of generosity by Simba Bhora Football Club is a testament to the unity and shared vision we have for Zimbabwean football. Their support will go a long way in boosting the morale of our team and fostering a stronger football culture. We are deeply grateful for their contribution,” he said.
The match will kickoff at 3pm.
