Sports / Soccer
Young Mighty Warriors beat South Africa.
19 Dec 2010 at 15:27hrs | Views
Zimbabwe Under-20 ......(1) 1
South Africa Under-20 ...(0) 1
Zimbabwe won 5-4 on penalties
THE Young Mighty Warriors yesterday put up a spirited performance when they dismissed their biggest rivals South Africa 5-4 after a penalty shootout in the final of the Zone Six Under-20 Youth Games women's soccer at Mavuso Sports Centre.
The match ended 1-1 in regulation time and the two teams remained deadlocked in extra time only to be separated by the penalty lottery.
Zimbabwe scored their penalties through captain Nobuhle Majika, Emmaculate Msipa, Rufaro Machingura, Rutendo Makore and Rudo Neshamba.
Jabulile Mazibuko, Valencia Moens, Maphuti Manamela and Rooblyn Moodaly found the net for South Africa. Kate Nhlapo missed her spot kick, crashing her effort against the upright.
Neshamba had given the Young Mighty Warriors a deserved lead on the stroke of half-time after Elizabeth Chaparangana delivered a perfect cross.
Abantwana levelled the scores in the 49th minute when captain Moens made a solo run on the left flank, spotted Chido Dzingirai in goals for Zimbabwe before releasing a screamer that sailed into the far corner.
Zimbabwe dominated the first half through star of the show Neshamba, Makore, captain Majika, Eunice Chibanda and Dzingirai. A second half tactical substitution by South Africa coach Anna Monate, in which she brought in Nicole October and Manamela, led to the equaliser.
The Zimbabwean delegation expressed relief with wild celebrations as referee Letticia Viana, who exhibited some pathetic officiating, blew the final whistle.
Coach Langton Giwa, assistant Shadreck Mlauzi and manager Debra Green could not contain their emotions as they wept tears of joy.
It was the second gold for the girls as they claimed the scalp of Botswana in the 2008 Zone Six Youth Games held in South Africa.
The victory was sweet for the Young Mighty Warriors as they avenged a 1-0 loss they suffered at the hands of the same opponents during the group stage through a controversial penalty awarded by the same referee, who hails from Swaziland.
On the road to the final, Zimbabwe beat Namibia 4-0 in their opening match, walloped Swaziland 7-0, lost 1-0 to South Africa and crushed Botswana 7-2 in the last game to reach the final.
"To defend the gold medal, beating opponents like South Africa is the icing on the cake and personally it means a lot to me. I am proud of the players who were determined to win the gold medal. They were always focused, committed and had total discipline. Today we overpowered South Africa in midfield and our defence remained resolute as they absorbed the pressure.
"I would love to see the squad that I brought here remaining together and graduate into the Under-23 side," Giwa said.
Zimbabwe captain Majika could not hide her joy at leading her country to victory in the Zone Six Games.
"This is an important victory for me. Everyone worked hard for this gold medal and we were all united during the tournament. Before we left home, I had promised Zimbabweans that we would bring gold and I am happy that we have given the country a special Christmas present.
I want to thank other disciplines for coming to cheer us to victory, as their support made the difference because we felt motivated. This victorious team must be kept together and I believe we need to be given the chance in the senior team, as we are equally good," Majika said, smiling.
South African coach Monate was livid at the organisers blaming them for the defeat. "The organisers have messed it up for my team. On Friday we were prepared to play the final but to our surprise the encounter was postponed.
"After having done the warm-up and being ready for the game, the spirit of the players was killed. How do you expect to build the future of these youngsters when instead you are killing the spirit of the players?
"Apart from the poor organisation, we lost to a better side because I felt my players gave their best but it was not our day," Monate said.
South Africa Under-20 ...(0) 1
Zimbabwe won 5-4 on penalties
THE Young Mighty Warriors yesterday put up a spirited performance when they dismissed their biggest rivals South Africa 5-4 after a penalty shootout in the final of the Zone Six Under-20 Youth Games women's soccer at Mavuso Sports Centre.
The match ended 1-1 in regulation time and the two teams remained deadlocked in extra time only to be separated by the penalty lottery.
Zimbabwe scored their penalties through captain Nobuhle Majika, Emmaculate Msipa, Rufaro Machingura, Rutendo Makore and Rudo Neshamba.
Jabulile Mazibuko, Valencia Moens, Maphuti Manamela and Rooblyn Moodaly found the net for South Africa. Kate Nhlapo missed her spot kick, crashing her effort against the upright.
Neshamba had given the Young Mighty Warriors a deserved lead on the stroke of half-time after Elizabeth Chaparangana delivered a perfect cross.
Abantwana levelled the scores in the 49th minute when captain Moens made a solo run on the left flank, spotted Chido Dzingirai in goals for Zimbabwe before releasing a screamer that sailed into the far corner.
Zimbabwe dominated the first half through star of the show Neshamba, Makore, captain Majika, Eunice Chibanda and Dzingirai. A second half tactical substitution by South Africa coach Anna Monate, in which she brought in Nicole October and Manamela, led to the equaliser.
The Zimbabwean delegation expressed relief with wild celebrations as referee Letticia Viana, who exhibited some pathetic officiating, blew the final whistle.
Coach Langton Giwa, assistant Shadreck Mlauzi and manager Debra Green could not contain their emotions as they wept tears of joy.
It was the second gold for the girls as they claimed the scalp of Botswana in the 2008 Zone Six Youth Games held in South Africa.
The victory was sweet for the Young Mighty Warriors as they avenged a 1-0 loss they suffered at the hands of the same opponents during the group stage through a controversial penalty awarded by the same referee, who hails from Swaziland.
On the road to the final, Zimbabwe beat Namibia 4-0 in their opening match, walloped Swaziland 7-0, lost 1-0 to South Africa and crushed Botswana 7-2 in the last game to reach the final.
"To defend the gold medal, beating opponents like South Africa is the icing on the cake and personally it means a lot to me. I am proud of the players who were determined to win the gold medal. They were always focused, committed and had total discipline. Today we overpowered South Africa in midfield and our defence remained resolute as they absorbed the pressure.
"I would love to see the squad that I brought here remaining together and graduate into the Under-23 side," Giwa said.
Zimbabwe captain Majika could not hide her joy at leading her country to victory in the Zone Six Games.
"This is an important victory for me. Everyone worked hard for this gold medal and we were all united during the tournament. Before we left home, I had promised Zimbabweans that we would bring gold and I am happy that we have given the country a special Christmas present.
I want to thank other disciplines for coming to cheer us to victory, as their support made the difference because we felt motivated. This victorious team must be kept together and I believe we need to be given the chance in the senior team, as we are equally good," Majika said, smiling.
South African coach Monate was livid at the organisers blaming them for the defeat. "The organisers have messed it up for my team. On Friday we were prepared to play the final but to our surprise the encounter was postponed.
"After having done the warm-up and being ready for the game, the spirit of the players was killed. How do you expect to build the future of these youngsters when instead you are killing the spirit of the players?
"Apart from the poor organisation, we lost to a better side because I felt my players gave their best but it was not our day," Monate said.
Source - Byo24
