Sports / Soccer
Zimbabwe - Zambia tie set for bizarre midnight kick-off
31 Mar 2016 at 00:04hrs | Views
THE Mighty Warriors have been handed a graveyard fixture for their African Women Cup of Nations second round, first leg home qualifier against Zambia, with Caf stating that the match will be played at midnight on April 6.
Zifa described the kick-off time as totally shocking and has written to the continental football controlling body asking for a change in time to 3PM on the same day.
Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela said the association was extremely shocked by the kick-off time and their request for a change had still received no response by yesterday.
In a letter addressed to Zifa, Caf wrote: "Kindly be informed that match number 21 between Zimbabwe and Zambia is scheduled on 06-04-2016, at GMT 22:00, local 00:00hrs at Rufaro Stadium."
Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze wrote to Caf informing them Zimbabwe was experiencing power outages and that Rufaro Stadium had not staged a match under floodlights in the past four years.
"Our appeal is that, Match 21, Zimbabwe v Zambia senior team be played during day time at 1500hrs since Zimbabwe is experiencing power outages. Besides, we have never staged night matches at the venue over the past four years," Mashingaidze wrote.
The second leg in Zambia on April 10 is due to kick-off at 3PM.
The Mighty Warriors booked a place in the second round of the qualifiers after dispatching Tanzania 3-2 on aggregate. Zimbabwe won the first leg 2-1 and the return leg ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
Zambia accounted for Namibia, beating them 3-1 at home and drawing 2-2.
The 10th edition of the African Women Cup of Nations will be held in Cameroon from November 19 to December 3.
The Mighty Warriors have been in camp since Sunday preparing for the two-legged encounter, but they will miss the services of deadly striker Rudo Neshamba, who has been ruled out because of a persistent knee injury.
Mighty Warriors squad
Goalkeepers:
Chido Dzingirai (Flame Lily), Lindiwe Magwede (Cyclone Stars), Manyara Mandara (Mwenezana), Amanda Banda (Chapungu)
Defenders
Nobuhle Majika (Inline Academy), Sheila Makoto (Blue Swallows), Eunice Chibanda (Black Rhinos), Lynett Mutokuto (Black Rhinos), Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri (Mufakose), Patience Mujuru (Black Rhinos), Nobukhosi Ncube (New Orleans), Rufaro Machingura (Black Rhinos), Dani Bhobho (Mwenezana), Florence Maponga (Mufakose)
Midfielders
Emmaculate Msipa (Black Rhinos), Marjory Nyaumwe (Flame Lily), Aldiglade Bhamu (Mufakose), Viola Ndlovu (Black Rhinos), Greater Bhande (Cyclone Stars), Talent Mandaza (Black Rhinos), Mavis Chirandu (Weerams), Daisy Kaitano (Black Rhinos), Bokani Sibanda (Hwange)
Strikers
Felistas Muzongondi (Mwenezana), Rudo Neshamba (Weerams), Erina Jeke (Flame Lily), Kudakwashe Basopo (Black Rhinos), Samkelisiwe Zulu (Flame Lily), Berita Kabwe (Flame Lily), Sibonginkosi Nleya (Chapungu)
Zifa described the kick-off time as totally shocking and has written to the continental football controlling body asking for a change in time to 3PM on the same day.
Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela said the association was extremely shocked by the kick-off time and their request for a change had still received no response by yesterday.
In a letter addressed to Zifa, Caf wrote: "Kindly be informed that match number 21 between Zimbabwe and Zambia is scheduled on 06-04-2016, at GMT 22:00, local 00:00hrs at Rufaro Stadium."
Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze wrote to Caf informing them Zimbabwe was experiencing power outages and that Rufaro Stadium had not staged a match under floodlights in the past four years.
"Our appeal is that, Match 21, Zimbabwe v Zambia senior team be played during day time at 1500hrs since Zimbabwe is experiencing power outages. Besides, we have never staged night matches at the venue over the past four years," Mashingaidze wrote.
The second leg in Zambia on April 10 is due to kick-off at 3PM.
The Mighty Warriors booked a place in the second round of the qualifiers after dispatching Tanzania 3-2 on aggregate. Zimbabwe won the first leg 2-1 and the return leg ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
Zambia accounted for Namibia, beating them 3-1 at home and drawing 2-2.
The 10th edition of the African Women Cup of Nations will be held in Cameroon from November 19 to December 3.
Mighty Warriors squad
Goalkeepers:
Chido Dzingirai (Flame Lily), Lindiwe Magwede (Cyclone Stars), Manyara Mandara (Mwenezana), Amanda Banda (Chapungu)
Defenders
Nobuhle Majika (Inline Academy), Sheila Makoto (Blue Swallows), Eunice Chibanda (Black Rhinos), Lynett Mutokuto (Black Rhinos), Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri (Mufakose), Patience Mujuru (Black Rhinos), Nobukhosi Ncube (New Orleans), Rufaro Machingura (Black Rhinos), Dani Bhobho (Mwenezana), Florence Maponga (Mufakose)
Midfielders
Emmaculate Msipa (Black Rhinos), Marjory Nyaumwe (Flame Lily), Aldiglade Bhamu (Mufakose), Viola Ndlovu (Black Rhinos), Greater Bhande (Cyclone Stars), Talent Mandaza (Black Rhinos), Mavis Chirandu (Weerams), Daisy Kaitano (Black Rhinos), Bokani Sibanda (Hwange)
Strikers
Felistas Muzongondi (Mwenezana), Rudo Neshamba (Weerams), Erina Jeke (Flame Lily), Kudakwashe Basopo (Black Rhinos), Samkelisiwe Zulu (Flame Lily), Berita Kabwe (Flame Lily), Sibonginkosi Nleya (Chapungu)
Source - chronicle
