Zimbabwe warriors thrash Liberia

Zimbabwe 3 - 0 Liberia
The Warriors of Zimbabwe walloped visiting Liberia 3-0 in Harare to stay within touching distance of Group A leaders Mali in the qualification race for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

However, Zimbabwe face a decisive final qualifying match against closest rivals Cape Verde next month in Praia, while Mali visit Liberia.

Mali are top of the section with nine points after they defeated Cape Verde Islanders 3-0 Saturday, but Zimbabwe will stay close on eight points courtesy of their win over the Lone Star of Liberia.

Early front runners Cape Verde are down in third with seven points, while Liberia languish at the bottom of the standings after amassing four points from five matches.

Last year, Liberia forced Zimbabwe to a 1-1 draw in Monrovia. Sekou Oliseh's 69th minute effort cancelled out a 30th minute opener by striker Knowledge Musona.

The Warriors took a 16th minute via Willard Katsende, before midfielder Ovidy Karuru made it 2-0 just on the stroke of half time.

And five minutes from time, midfielder Khama Billiat completed the scoring for the Warriors, who last featured at the Nations Cup five years ago.

Other group results
Mali 3 - 0 Cape Verde

Log Standings

Team               P W GD Pts
Mali                  5  3   3   9
Zimbabwe         5  2   3   8
Cape Verde     5   2  -1  7
Liberia              5  1  -5   4

Other Afcon results

Niger                  2 - 1    South Africa
Comoros            1 - 2     Zambia
Madagascar       0 - 2     Nigeria
Libya                  1 - 0     Mozambique
Senegal             2 - 0     DR Congo
Sierra Leone      2 - 1     Egypt
Namibia              1 - 0    Gambia
Rwanda              0 - 5   Cote d'lvoire
Kenya                2 - 1    Guinee Bissau
Tanzania           1 - 1     Algeria
Malawi                0 - 0    Tunisia
Ghana                2 - 0    Swaziland