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Zimbabwe's soccer nepotism falls to Mozambique
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Nepotically and tribally selected Zimbabwe Under-17 national team endured a disappointing start to their Cosafa Championship campaign yesterday, losing 1-0 to Mozambique in front of a sizeable home crowd at Ngoni Stadium.
The Young Warriors, criticised ahead of the tournament for alleged nepotistic and tribal selections, saw their early optimism fade just eight minutes into the match when Chauson Nhabanga tucked home from an Allan de Figuereido cross.
The result leaves Zimbabwe third in Group A, with a must-win clash against Eswatini tomorrow now critical to their hopes of progressing. Earlier in the day, Comoros beat Eswatini 3-0 to go top of the group. The competition doubles as a qualifier for both the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Under-17 finals and the Fifa Under-17 World Cup.
Coach Thulani Sibanda's side, assembled in less than a month and afforded only two weeks of full training, looked short on cohesion for much of the match. In contrast, Mozambique's squad is the product of a two-year development project, including training camps in Portugal.
Mozambique coach Luis Manuel Correia Guerreiro credited preparation for the win. "The secret behind our win today was simple. We started this project two years ago. We had preparations in Portugal where we played friendly matches. Preparation is very key," he said.
Sibanda, however, insisted that the margin between the teams was not as wide as the result suggested. "Even if you watched the game, there wasn't a very big difference between us and them, apart from maybe that soft goal. We almost created the same number of chances. There were moments when we were on top, especially in the better part of the second half," he said.
Statistics underlined Mozambique's superiority, with midfielder Diego Pelembe dictating play and nearly setting up a second when Shelton Sitoe's bicycle kick sailed just over. Zimbabwe's best moments came through captain Tadiwa Chakuchichi, who went close in the 30th minute and again in the 49th, only to be denied by Pascoal Miambo's last-ditch block.
The Young Warriors pressed harder in the second half, urged on by a vocal Norton crowd, but their lack of a clinical finisher proved costly. Mozambique slowed the tempo in the closing stages and almost added another when Steys Jose headed wide.
With Comoros and Mozambique on three points apiece, Zimbabwe must now beat Eswatini tomorrow before facing Comoros on Monday to stand any chance of advancing to the semi-finals.
Teams
Zimbabwe
Siyanda Zimba, Seth Musarapachena, Tapiwa Mautsa (Fortune Ncube 46), Prince Chimwakale (Tawananyashe Chisuse 90), Ashley Murapa, Munashe Ncube, Jameson Nduna (Irvine Mtungwazi 70), Darrel Zulu, Elshaddai Sadomba (Tapiwa Gutu 74), Tatenda Maulidi (Dwayne Musona 74), Tadiwa Chakuchichi.
Mozambique
Ricardo Vilanculos, Pirez Vieira, Allan de Figuereido, Pascal Miambo, Sheldon Sitoe, Seoul Kante (Valentine Pecame 70), Diego Pelembe, Steys Jose, Chauson Nhabanga, Marcos Lazaro (Kristoff Machava 90), Joachim Mubai (Jonas Mitusse 72).
The Young Warriors, criticised ahead of the tournament for alleged nepotistic and tribal selections, saw their early optimism fade just eight minutes into the match when Chauson Nhabanga tucked home from an Allan de Figuereido cross.
The result leaves Zimbabwe third in Group A, with a must-win clash against Eswatini tomorrow now critical to their hopes of progressing. Earlier in the day, Comoros beat Eswatini 3-0 to go top of the group. The competition doubles as a qualifier for both the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Under-17 finals and the Fifa Under-17 World Cup.
Coach Thulani Sibanda's side, assembled in less than a month and afforded only two weeks of full training, looked short on cohesion for much of the match. In contrast, Mozambique's squad is the product of a two-year development project, including training camps in Portugal.
Mozambique coach Luis Manuel Correia Guerreiro credited preparation for the win. "The secret behind our win today was simple. We started this project two years ago. We had preparations in Portugal where we played friendly matches. Preparation is very key," he said.
Sibanda, however, insisted that the margin between the teams was not as wide as the result suggested. "Even if you watched the game, there wasn't a very big difference between us and them, apart from maybe that soft goal. We almost created the same number of chances. There were moments when we were on top, especially in the better part of the second half," he said.
Statistics underlined Mozambique's superiority, with midfielder Diego Pelembe dictating play and nearly setting up a second when Shelton Sitoe's bicycle kick sailed just over. Zimbabwe's best moments came through captain Tadiwa Chakuchichi, who went close in the 30th minute and again in the 49th, only to be denied by Pascoal Miambo's last-ditch block.
The Young Warriors pressed harder in the second half, urged on by a vocal Norton crowd, but their lack of a clinical finisher proved costly. Mozambique slowed the tempo in the closing stages and almost added another when Steys Jose headed wide.
With Comoros and Mozambique on three points apiece, Zimbabwe must now beat Eswatini tomorrow before facing Comoros on Monday to stand any chance of advancing to the semi-finals.
Teams
Zimbabwe
Siyanda Zimba, Seth Musarapachena, Tapiwa Mautsa (Fortune Ncube 46), Prince Chimwakale (Tawananyashe Chisuse 90), Ashley Murapa, Munashe Ncube, Jameson Nduna (Irvine Mtungwazi 70), Darrel Zulu, Elshaddai Sadomba (Tapiwa Gutu 74), Tatenda Maulidi (Dwayne Musona 74), Tadiwa Chakuchichi.
Mozambique
Ricardo Vilanculos, Pirez Vieira, Allan de Figuereido, Pascal Miambo, Sheldon Sitoe, Seoul Kante (Valentine Pecame 70), Diego Pelembe, Steys Jose, Chauson Nhabanga, Marcos Lazaro (Kristoff Machava 90), Joachim Mubai (Jonas Mitusse 72).
Source - The Chronicle
