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Ndoro brace sees the Warriors in the Cosafa final

by goal.com
17 Jul 2013 at 19:55hrs | Views
Zimbabwe came from behind to advance to the final of the Cosafa Cup tournament following their 2-1 win over Lesotho on Wednesday night

Zimbabwe started the game on the back foot, as they allowed Lesotho to take the lead in the 4th minute through Mofolo Motlalepula who had an easy tap-in from close range.

However, Lesotho failed to protect their lead and the Zimbabweans equalized 12 minutes later through Tendai Ndoro who received the ball inside the Lesotho box before firing past Phasumane Kholuoe.

The Warriors started knocking the ball around nicely after that equalizer, and they took a few shots at goal as they continue to press for the second goal.

Zimbabwe were finally rewarded for their patience and efforts when Tendai Ndoro grabbed his second of the game in the 25th minute after Moitheri Ntobo had failed to deal with the cross from the right hand side of the field.

Likoena came back strongly and nearly levelled matters on the half-hour mark, but the Zimbabwean keeper Maxwell Nyamupanedengu pulled off a brilliant save to deny Lesotho.

Both teams continued to create goalscoring opportunities with Lesotho desperate for an equalizer before the end of the first half, but the Warriors took their lead into the dressing rooms.

Lesotho launched their first attack of the second half in the 47th minute when Jeremiah Kamela curled his free-kick towards the near post, but the Zimbabwean keeper was equal to the task.

However, the Warriors looked dangerous every time they entire the final third of the pitch, but they often struggled with one striker upfront.

The game lost its tempo after the hour mark as both teams looked very cautious, but the Zimbabweans continued to have an upper hand over their opponents.

Lesotho nearly equalized in the last 10 minutes after the Zimbabwean keeper fumbled the cross, but the Warriors defence recovered well to clear for a corner.

Lehlomela Ramabele had a golden opportunity to get Lesotho back on level terms in the 87th minute, but striker blasted his shot well over the bar.

In the end, Zimbabwe held on to their lead and marched on to their second successive final of the Cosafa Cup.

Source - goal.com