VETERAN striker Rutendo Makore was a pale shadow of her usual aggressive self as the Mighty Warriors got off to a false start, losing 0-1 to East African guest nation Tanzania at the ongoing Cosafa Women’s Championship in Nelson Mandela Bay last night.

The usually reliable Mako re, whose talents saw her getting a contract in Spain, was used as a lone striker by coach Sithethelelwe Kwinji 15 Sibanda, probably because of her known aggressive and bustling nature but she sadly failed to come to the party and even when in possession, she would deliver stray passes which completely distabilised the team.

Tanzania took the lead exactly an hour into the encounter through Kadosho Shekigenda who headed home from a corner as the Mighty Warriors defence stood akimbo.

The afternoon turned into a horror show for the Mighty Warriors when skipper Emmaculate Msipa received her marching orders for a second yellow card and they had to finish the game with 10 players and 16 minutes still on the clock.

It was the first red card of the tournament and will keep her out of their next fixture.

Meanwhile, Cosafa.com reports that Tanzania got their Cosafa Women’s Under-17 Championship campaign off to a strong start as they defeated Comoros Islands 5-1.

Aisha Masaka bagged a brace, including the opener, while Mwanamvua Haruna, Joyce Lema and Protasia Mbunda were also on target. Noussrat Mistoihi had equalised for Comoros from the penalty-spot in the first half.

Zambia defeated South Africa 2-1 in their opener, with Cindy Banda claiming the winner a minute from time as she scrambled the ball into the back of the net.-Chronicle