Captain Mwanjali not satisfied with performance

National Sports Stadium on Sunday but hailed the result as crucial going into the final match of the qualifiers.
Mwanjali, who was stretchered off the pitch after sustaining a head injury in an aerial tussle with a Liberian player, said the Warriors had the upper hand in the first half when they took a 2-0 lead courtesy of goals from Willard Katsande and Ovidy Karuru.
Khama Billiat made it 3-0 later in the game after connecting a low cross from rightback Gilbert Mapemba.
“It was a good result for us. We managed to score goals but, in my opinion, the performance wasn’t that satisfactory,” said Mwanjali.
“I think we could have done better in all departments especially in the second half because the Liberians had raised their game a bit and they seemed to have gained more confidence.
“But the good thing is we still won the match by a big margin and in the end the result overshadowed everything,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s chances of qualifying for the 2012 finals however remained slim after new group leaders Mali disposed of early pace setters Cape Verde by the same scoreline on Saturday night, to take an edge going into the last matches.
Mali took their tally to nine points as Zimbabwe pushed into second place with eight while Cape Verde and Liberia complete the group standings with seven and four points.
But the Warriors’ chances of qualifying for next year’s finals now hinge on the premise that they have to beat Cape Verde away in Praia and hope that Liberia do the ‘favour’ by holding the Malians in their penultimate encounter at home next month.
Sadly for the Warriors, the fate is no longer in their hands, and Zimbabwe will rue their slow start in the campaign.
Zimbabwe have not qualified for the past two African Cup of Nations finals since they last took part in the 2004 and 2006 editions.
Mwanjali, however, remained hopeful that the Warriors could still pull through as group leaders. He said Zimbabwe should remain focused for the must-win game against Cape Verde next month.
“Obviously we have to continue working hard. We can’t rule ourselves out yet. The battle is still on since and there is still one game to play.
“Hopefully we will win,” he said.
Mwanjali and FC Platinum’s Daniel Veremu were solid in the heart of defence until he was taken off the pitch after injuring himself in an aerial tussle with just over 10 minutes remaining.
“I had a nasty contact with a Liberian player and cracked in the head.
“I think he used his elbow first and then there was head contact. But it’s not serious,” he said.
Mwanjali was replaced by Archieford Gutu and coach Norman Mapeza then moved Lincolin Zvasiya, who had earlier got in for midfield hardman Tinashe Nengomasha, into a more central defensive role.
Zimbabwe’s midfield appeared to give the visitors leeway and enough room to make some moves and Liberia skipper Anthony Laffour could have at least got a goal for the Lone Star.
Goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini was forced to make crucial saves early in the second period as Liberia, who have now crashed out of the qualifiers, pressed for recovery.
Zimbabwe were more lively from the wings although Billiat was not at his usual best while Quincy Antipas showed some pace early on but was forced out by injury on the 31st minute.
Others like Nengomasha, Edward Sadomba and Gilbert Mapemba struggled with their game, while Katsande had moments when he unnecessarily lost possession and was reckless in his challenges, which put undue pressure on the midfield.
But France-based Karuru was clearly the main man for the home side and was involved in all three goals after providing the pass that was converted by Katsande, heading home the second and initiating the move that was finished off by Billiat.
To their credit, Zimbabwe played as a unit but would need to polish their act ahead of the crucial last match in Cape Verde.
Group A Standings
P W D L F A GD Pts
Mali 5 3 0 1 7 4 3 9
Zimbabwe 5 2 2 1 6 3 3 8
Cape Verde 5 2 1 2 5 6 -1 7
Liberia 5 1 1 3 5 10 -5 4