MWOS FC Queens Suffer Narrow Defeat Against Black Mambas Queens
MWOS FC Queens were edged 2–1 by Black Mambas Queens after surrendering a first-half lead in a contest that saw the Punters punished by two second-half goals.
The Queens started brightly, showing attacking intent from the opening exchanges and looking composed in possession. Tawananyasha Mandishara came close in the 15th minute after receiving the ball in midfield and testing the Black Mambas goalkeeper, who was equal to the effort.
The breakthrough arrived three minutes later when Stella Denya produced a moment of quality. Receiving the ball out wide, Denya took aim from distance and sent a superb effort into the back of the net to give the Queens a 1–0 advantage.
MWOS continued to threaten going forward, with Kelly Kandemiri involved in a promising move on the half-hour mark. Her delivery from the flank found Mandishara inside the box, but her effort was saved. Denya reacted quickest to the rebound and fired towards goal, only for a Black Mambas defender to make a crucial clearance.
The Queens went into the interval with their slender advantage intact.
At the restart, Merian Genti was introduced for Kandemiri, marking an important moment for the Queens as Genti returned to competitive action following a serious injury that had kept her sidelined for more than eight weeks.
Her return provided MWOS with another attacking option, while Genti also took responsibility from set pieces. In the 65th minute, she delivered a dangerous corner into the Black Mambas box, but the goalkeeper came off her line to claim the ball.
The Queens had settled well into the second half, defending their advantage while continuing to search for opportunities to extend their lead. Grace Mubaira was introduced for Doreen Rugayo in the 74th minute as MWOS made another change.
However, the momentum shifted shortly afterwards.
Black Mambas found the equaliser in the 76th minute before completing the turnaround six minutes later, scoring again in the 82nd minute to move 2–1 ahead.
Belinda Mutsauri replaced Charlotte Chiyangwa in the 83rd minute as the Queens searched for a late response, but Black Mambas held firm through the closing stages to secure the victory.
Speaking after the game, MWOS FC Queens Goalkeepers’ Coach Blessing Mwandimutsira acknowledged the disappointment of the result while highlighting an area the team must improve.
“We take the lesson from this fall. We need to focus more on defending set pieces because that’s where the goals we conceded came from. But apart from that, the girls played very well.”
Despite the result, the Queens showed encouraging attacking quality and controlled large periods of the contest. Genti’s return from a lengthy injury lay-off also provided a positive moment for MWOS, with the Punters now focused on addressing the areas that need improvement.
The Queens will regroup, take the lessons from the setback and turn their attention to the next challenge.