Sports / Soccer
Warriors, Mozambique draw
09 Sep 2013 at 05:46hrs | Views
Zimbabwe 1 - 1 Mozambique
Needing nothing short of victory to restore their battered pride, the players once again disappointed in their fifth straight match this year and not even the shift from the National Sports Stadium to Rufaro has helped their pathetic outcomes.
Since beating Botswana 2-1 at Rufaro in an international friendly in February, Zimbabwe have not won a single match they have played before their home fans and their failure to fill stadium yesterday was a pointer to fans who are losing confidence in the brand.
Zimbabwe had appeared well on course for a victory after skipper Masimba Mambare beat goalkeeper Soares Soares from close range in the 41st minute but substitute Manuel Fernandes evened the scores in the 70th minute.
Zimbabwe could have wrapped up the match in the first half where Mahachi and Mambare were creating chances but still the team lacked precision on the final ball.
Tawanda Muparati also pulled the trigger in the 29th from just outside the box and Soares had to use his legs to block the attempt but Mahachi failed to convert from the rebound.
Muparati manufactured the Warriors' goal when he struck a shot that Soares blocked back into play and from the rebound the Dynamos skipper hit the upright and the ball ricocheted to Mambare to blast home.
During the first half, Mozambique also had their moments and Warriors goalkeeper George Chigova was thrice forced to make crucial fine saves as he tipped the ball over the bar for a corner kick.
It seemed the Warriors were now complacent in the second half after taking the slender lead as they allowed the Mambas to come on them with Elias Pelembe and Dario Ivan Khan threatening from the box.
However, Gorowa might look back at his decision to eject Peter Moyo who had been playing rather well as their waterloo because Mozambique started getting a big shout in the midfield battles while Murapati had slumped in his performance.
Only Mahachi remained consistent while Oscar Machapa should take the flak for Mozambique's goal after he failed to clear an effort by Josimor Machaisse and Fernandes punished the hosts.
Mozambique, just like Zimbabwe finished the World Cup qualifiers without a victory after managing three draws and their coach Joao Chissano believed the dead rubber World Cup qualifier was useful in their preparations for the African Nations Championship finals in South Africa next year.
Teams
Zimbabwe: George Chigova, Oscar Machapa, Bruce Kangwa, Patson Jaure, Tawanda Muparati (Charles Sibanda 80th min), Peter Moyo (Hardlife Zvirekwi 64th min) Nelson Maziwisa, Kuda Mahachi, Willard Katsande, Erick Chipeta, Masimba Mambare (Donald Ngoma 64th min),
Mozambique : Soares Soares, Diego Alberto (Manuel Fernades 64th min) Stelio Enersto, Josimor Machaisse, Joao Mazive (Seddan Guamba58th min) Almiro Lobo, Francisco Mioche, Guilherme Manhique, Elias Pelembe, Dario Ivan Khan , Apson Manjate (Mario Sinamunda 46th min),
Needing nothing short of victory to restore their battered pride, the players once again disappointed in their fifth straight match this year and not even the shift from the National Sports Stadium to Rufaro has helped their pathetic outcomes.
Since beating Botswana 2-1 at Rufaro in an international friendly in February, Zimbabwe have not won a single match they have played before their home fans and their failure to fill stadium yesterday was a pointer to fans who are losing confidence in the brand.
Zimbabwe had appeared well on course for a victory after skipper Masimba Mambare beat goalkeeper Soares Soares from close range in the 41st minute but substitute Manuel Fernandes evened the scores in the 70th minute.
Zimbabwe could have wrapped up the match in the first half where Mahachi and Mambare were creating chances but still the team lacked precision on the final ball.
Tawanda Muparati also pulled the trigger in the 29th from just outside the box and Soares had to use his legs to block the attempt but Mahachi failed to convert from the rebound.
Muparati manufactured the Warriors' goal when he struck a shot that Soares blocked back into play and from the rebound the Dynamos skipper hit the upright and the ball ricocheted to Mambare to blast home.
During the first half, Mozambique also had their moments and Warriors goalkeeper George Chigova was thrice forced to make crucial fine saves as he tipped the ball over the bar for a corner kick.
However, Gorowa might look back at his decision to eject Peter Moyo who had been playing rather well as their waterloo because Mozambique started getting a big shout in the midfield battles while Murapati had slumped in his performance.
Only Mahachi remained consistent while Oscar Machapa should take the flak for Mozambique's goal after he failed to clear an effort by Josimor Machaisse and Fernandes punished the hosts.
Mozambique, just like Zimbabwe finished the World Cup qualifiers without a victory after managing three draws and their coach Joao Chissano believed the dead rubber World Cup qualifier was useful in their preparations for the African Nations Championship finals in South Africa next year.
Teams
Zimbabwe: George Chigova, Oscar Machapa, Bruce Kangwa, Patson Jaure, Tawanda Muparati (Charles Sibanda 80th min), Peter Moyo (Hardlife Zvirekwi 64th min) Nelson Maziwisa, Kuda Mahachi, Willard Katsande, Erick Chipeta, Masimba Mambare (Donald Ngoma 64th min),
Mozambique : Soares Soares, Diego Alberto (Manuel Fernades 64th min) Stelio Enersto, Josimor Machaisse, Joao Mazive (Seddan Guamba58th min) Almiro Lobo, Francisco Mioche, Guilherme Manhique, Elias Pelembe, Dario Ivan Khan , Apson Manjate (Mario Sinamunda 46th min),
Source - chronicle
