Sports / Soccer
Zimbabwe vs Swaziland player ratings
27 Mar 2016 at 10:26hrs | Views
After watching a recording of the Warriors versus Swaziland game several times The Sunday Mail's Langton Nyakwenda rates the players who did duty in Mbabane out of 10.
Tatenda Mukuruva, Goalkeeper (8) - Despite acting jittery in a few moments, the Dynamos goalkeeper was once again the Warriors' saviour. His acrobatic save to parry Xolani Sibandze's blazing shot in the dying stages of the game epitomised the good day he had in office.
Eric Chipeta, RB (3) - Probably the worst link of the Warriors' defence.
Swaziland's second minute goal by Felix Badenhorst was a result of him not taking care of the blind side, something he repeated throughout the game.
Costa Nhamoinesu, CB (7) - Towering and composed as usual, the dreadlocked defender was comfortable at centre back where he provided expert cover for debutant Elisha Muroiwa.
The Czech Republic based player could have been on the score sheet but his effort was cleared from the line early in the second half.
Elisha Muroiwa, CB (5) - Looked overawed by the occasion at times, which is expected of someone making his full national team debut on foreign soil.
Perhaps his major weakness was his habit of pumping the balls forward instead of starting play from the back.
Onismor Bhasera, LB (5) - Was caught off guard on several occasions. The cross that led to the Swazi goal came from his area of command and Bhasera ought to have done better.
Willard Katsande, CDM (6) - Broke the opponents' build up well but his passing was not up to scratch.
Katsande, like a true skipper, led by example in terms of commitment and grit but was in most cases found wanting on his choice of passes.
Danny Phiri, CDM (6) - played in central midfield just in front of Katsande in a twin defensive linkman style and the Chicken Inn skipper did put in a grafter's show.
However, Phiri's choice and range of passes was rather poor as in most cases he played a back pass that slowed down the tempo.
Khama Billiat , LM (4) - The Warriors key player looked tired and a shadow of the man that is rocking the Absa Premiership.
He showed some glimpses of deft touches, tried some one-two touch moves with Knowledge Musona but he was not the Khama that we know.
Knowledge Musona, RM (4) - the usually dependable Warrior had a subdued game on the wing. He was not as menacing as we have known him to be.
Cuthbert Malajila, ST (3) - Looked clueless and was duly taken off late in the second half.
Mathew Rusike, ST (5) - Although not gifted with the ball artistry and incisiveness of a potent gunman, Rusike's physical presence gave the Swazi defence something to worry about.
He was also pulled out for Nyasha Mushekwi after 62 minutes.
Substitutes
Nyasha Mushekwi - He did change the game a bit when he came in for Mathew Rusike and added a bit of some teeth upfront.
Evans Rusike - Came in the 78th minute and had little time to make a mark.
Tatenda Mukuruva, Goalkeeper (8) - Despite acting jittery in a few moments, the Dynamos goalkeeper was once again the Warriors' saviour. His acrobatic save to parry Xolani Sibandze's blazing shot in the dying stages of the game epitomised the good day he had in office.
Eric Chipeta, RB (3) - Probably the worst link of the Warriors' defence.
Swaziland's second minute goal by Felix Badenhorst was a result of him not taking care of the blind side, something he repeated throughout the game.
Costa Nhamoinesu, CB (7) - Towering and composed as usual, the dreadlocked defender was comfortable at centre back where he provided expert cover for debutant Elisha Muroiwa.
The Czech Republic based player could have been on the score sheet but his effort was cleared from the line early in the second half.
Elisha Muroiwa, CB (5) - Looked overawed by the occasion at times, which is expected of someone making his full national team debut on foreign soil.
Perhaps his major weakness was his habit of pumping the balls forward instead of starting play from the back.
Onismor Bhasera, LB (5) - Was caught off guard on several occasions. The cross that led to the Swazi goal came from his area of command and Bhasera ought to have done better.
Willard Katsande, CDM (6) - Broke the opponents' build up well but his passing was not up to scratch.
Katsande, like a true skipper, led by example in terms of commitment and grit but was in most cases found wanting on his choice of passes.
Danny Phiri, CDM (6) - played in central midfield just in front of Katsande in a twin defensive linkman style and the Chicken Inn skipper did put in a grafter's show.
However, Phiri's choice and range of passes was rather poor as in most cases he played a back pass that slowed down the tempo.
Khama Billiat , LM (4) - The Warriors key player looked tired and a shadow of the man that is rocking the Absa Premiership.
He showed some glimpses of deft touches, tried some one-two touch moves with Knowledge Musona but he was not the Khama that we know.
Knowledge Musona, RM (4) - the usually dependable Warrior had a subdued game on the wing. He was not as menacing as we have known him to be.
Cuthbert Malajila, ST (3) - Looked clueless and was duly taken off late in the second half.
Mathew Rusike, ST (5) - Although not gifted with the ball artistry and incisiveness of a potent gunman, Rusike's physical presence gave the Swazi defence something to worry about.
He was also pulled out for Nyasha Mushekwi after 62 minutes.
Substitutes
Nyasha Mushekwi - He did change the game a bit when he came in for Mathew Rusike and added a bit of some teeth upfront.
Evans Rusike - Came in the 78th minute and had little time to make a mark.
Source - sundaymail
