Zimbabwe Senior Women's football team, the Mighty Warriors lost 3-0 at home to South Africa in their preparatory match for the 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations which kicks off in Cameroon next week.

The Mighty Warriors who had sorry preparations in the build up to this match after getting into camp just a few days ago looked rusty  and slow out of the blocks.

It was no surprise when they gifted South Africa with a goal 15 minutes into the match, double scorer Thembi Kgatlana finishing off a rebound after poor clearance from the Zimbabwean defence.

South Africa continued to enjoy more possession especially in the midfield showing their tactical discipline.

Kgatlana doubled the lead in the second half when she again capitalised on poor decision making by the Zimbabwe defence when goalkeeper Chido Dzingirayi came off her line too early giving the South African striker more space.

Defender Leandra Smeda put the match beyond the Mighty Warriors with the third goal towards the end.

Mighty Warriors coach Shadreck Mlauzi bemoaned lack of fitness among his players.

“Tactically we were not spot on today. We are too loose in our play. We were up against a team that is tactically disciplined. We need to be better offensive because our attacks were broken down easily,” said Mlauzi.

But Mlauzi remained defiant saying that the Mighty Warriors will regroup and come up with a better display when the two sides meet at the tournament proper in Cameroon next week.

“We didn’t play our strongest possible side and also we were trying some combination variations as we fused youths and experienced players.  We will use the time between now and the start of the tournament to work on our weaknesses.”

Zimbabwe square off against South Africa in their opening match of the Africa Women’s Cup Of Nations in Cameroon on 19 November. 

Zimbabwe are in the same group with the hosts Cameroon, Egypt and South Africa.