The Zimbabwe women national football team, the Mighty Warriors received a body blow on Monday ahead of their crucial Zone VI All-Africa Games first round, second leg qualifier against Angola set for Rufaro Stadium on Sunday, after it emerged that injured Violet Bepete will not recover in time for the match.
The skilful midfielder, who came in as a second-half substitute during the first leg encounter in Dundo last week was hacked down by an Angolan defender as she charged towards goal, and she hurt her ankle in the process.
In the short period that she played in Angola, Bepete made a huge impression on the left wing as she dazzled the bemused Angolans with her skills and coach Rosemary Mugadza wanted to use her in the Sunday’s do-or-die encounter.
The Mighty Warriors will go into the match carrying a crucial away goal that was scored by striker Rudo Neshamba who cancelled out a Maria Destino Destino penalty earlier in the match.
A victory for the Mighty Warriors or a non-scoring draw against Angola would secure them a berth at the All-Africa Games set for Mozambique in September.
However, Mugadza’s preparations for the match has been hampered with the sad news that her super-sub will not take part in the match.
The coach confirmed the distressing development, although she is still confident that the Mighty Warriors have enough arsenal to dispatch the Angolans.
“We have been assessing her in the last three days but although her condition has improved considerably, I think the game has come too early for her. In as much as we had wanted all our players to be there for the game Violet has not fully recovered and is definitely out,” said Mugadza.
