Sports / Soccer
Marinica's Warriors fall 3-1 to Algeria
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New Zimbabwe Warriors coach Marian Marinica's tenure got off to a rocky start following a 3-1 defeat to Algeria in an international friendly played at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium on Thursday night.
The Romanian tactician fielded a largely experimental lineup featuring several new faces, with Gerald Takwara wearing the captain's armband.
Algeria, the 2019 African champions, dominated from the outset and took just 14 minutes to break the deadlock through Bagdad Bounedjah, who slotted past veteran goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
The Desert Foxes doubled their advantage five minutes before halftime when Mohamed Amoura punished poor defensive marking to make it 2-0. Moments later, just before the break, defender Jaouen Ahjam compounded Zimbabwe's woes by adding a third goal following yet another lapse at the back.
At the start of the second half, Marinica rang the changes - introducing Prosper Padera, Tawanda Chirewa, Godknows Murwira, and Prince Dube for Bill Antonio, Sean Fusire, Washington Navaya, and Tawanda Maswanhise.
The substitutions brought more stability and attacking intent, with Zimbabwe gradually growing into the game and creating a few chances.
Their persistence was finally rewarded in the 86th minute when Chirewa, one of the second-half substitutes, won and converted a penalty to pull one back for the Warriors - ending the team's four-match goal drought dating back to their June friendly against Niger.
Despite the loss, Marinica is expected to take encouragement from the improved second-half performance and the team's fighting spirit.
Zimbabwe now turns its attention to their next friendly match against Qatar on Monday, as Marinica continues to shape his squad ahead of competitive fixtures in 2026 World Cup qualifying and the upcoming AFCON campaign.
The Romanian tactician fielded a largely experimental lineup featuring several new faces, with Gerald Takwara wearing the captain's armband.
Algeria, the 2019 African champions, dominated from the outset and took just 14 minutes to break the deadlock through Bagdad Bounedjah, who slotted past veteran goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
The Desert Foxes doubled their advantage five minutes before halftime when Mohamed Amoura punished poor defensive marking to make it 2-0. Moments later, just before the break, defender Jaouen Ahjam compounded Zimbabwe's woes by adding a third goal following yet another lapse at the back.
At the start of the second half, Marinica rang the changes - introducing Prosper Padera, Tawanda Chirewa, Godknows Murwira, and Prince Dube for Bill Antonio, Sean Fusire, Washington Navaya, and Tawanda Maswanhise.
The substitutions brought more stability and attacking intent, with Zimbabwe gradually growing into the game and creating a few chances.
Their persistence was finally rewarded in the 86th minute when Chirewa, one of the second-half substitutes, won and converted a penalty to pull one back for the Warriors - ending the team's four-match goal drought dating back to their June friendly against Niger.
Despite the loss, Marinica is expected to take encouragement from the improved second-half performance and the team's fighting spirit.
Zimbabwe now turns its attention to their next friendly match against Qatar on Monday, as Marinica continues to shape his squad ahead of competitive fixtures in 2026 World Cup qualifying and the upcoming AFCON campaign.
Source - newzimbabwe
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