Warriors beat Mozambique

Zimbabwe  2 - 1 Mozambique
WARRIORS head coach Ian Gorowa says he is impressed with the new players that he fielded yesterday in his first home win in a friendly match at Barbourfields Stadium ahead of the African Nations Championship (Chan) tournament in South Africa next month.

Dynamos striker Simba Sithole propelled Zimbabwe into the lead in the ninth minute when he beat the visitors' goalkeeper Logomale Ferroz with a shot from the edge of the box.

From then onwards Zimbabwe enjoyed total control of the match but could not add to their goal tally as the Mozambicans continued on the defensive with their anchorman Lourenco Manhique outstanding.

The home side was presented with another opportunity to increase their tally on the quarter of an hour mark but Frankson Bushure skied his effort from outside the box.

It was his only meaningful contribution in the match as the Shabanie Mine forward struggled with his game until his eventual substitution for Ali Sadiki in the 73rd minute.

Despite being a goal down, the Mozambicans kept their cool but their only real chance came three minutes before full-time when Eugenio Mafumo found himself face-to-face with Zimbabwe's goalkeeper George Chigova but his attempt towards goals could not beat the imposing 'keeper.

The Mozambicans were awarded a penalty three minutes from the breather and up stepped Mafumo to send Chigova the wrong way.

It was a goal that saw them upping their game and dominating the show.

Gorowa pulled out Bantu Rovers' Nqobizitha Masuku for Partson Jaure in the 75th minute and a minute later Wonder Kapinda, who was playing as a right back, was replaced by Hardlife Zvirekwi.

In a five minute substitution spell, Silas Songani was taken out for Bruce Kangwa. Ali Sadiki scored the winner after he intelligently chipped the ball over an advancing Ferroz in the 79th minute.

Gorowa had special praise for young Masuku.

"It was his first national team game and I think he did very well, I am proud of his performance," he said.

Zimbabwe:

G. Chigova, W. Kapinda (H. Zvireki 76th minute), M. Ncube, T. Ndlovu, F. Chindungwe, D. Phiri, N. Masuku (P. Jaure 75th minute), S. Sithole (S. Sithole 85th minute), S. Songani (B. Kangwa 80th minute), K. Mahachi (P. Manhanga 88th minute), F. Bushure,
Mozambique:
L. Ferroz, A. Pilale, F. Muchanga, B. Bernado (I. Mandava 94th minute), F. Mioche, E. Mafumo (S. Sinamundo 84th minute), L. Manhique (A. Alufane 93rd minute), A. Guambe, Z. Vetimane (T. Decarvalho 89th minute), B. Antonio(B. Caetano 72nd minute), S. Soares.

Teams
Zimbabwe: G Chigova, W Kapinda (H Zvirekwi 61st minute), M Ncube, T Ndlovu, F Chindungwe, D Phiri, N Masuku (P Jaure 60th minute), S Sithole (S Sithole 77th minute), S Songani (B Kangwa 64th minute), K Mahachi (P Manhanga 87th minute), F Bushiri (A Sadiki 58th minute)
Mozambique: T Nelson, D Antonio, M Lopes, M Francisco, B Gormano (M Isnard (90+ minute), A Antonio (C Barros 69th minute), M Euginio (S Sebastio 82nd minute), M Lourenco (A Abacar 90+ minute), G Abdul, V Zacaris (D Tome 89th minute), A Belito (F Celso 74th minute)