Curtain comes down on Copa Coca-Cola

playing with seniors given that other nations fielded players who appeared older and were stronger.
As the curtain came down yesterday with the final matches, Zimbabwe suffered two loses against Mozambique (1-2) and against Uganda (0-3).
The only hattrick of the three-day tournament was scored by Uganda against Zimbabwe.
Of the eight games the youthful Zimbabwe team played, they won one, drew one, lost five times to Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda, United Stars and Malawi.
They scored three goals, all coming from Thaboka Ncube, and conceded massive 15 goals.
In the match against Mozambique yesterday, Zimbabwe  coach, Bekezela Mavundla, made wholesome changes to the side that had played in earlier matches.
Central defender Nqobile Moyo was played as an attacking midfielder with central striker Shaun Pumulo playing behind the two forwards while Glyn Tandi, a midfielder, was switched back to the central defence.
Mozambique took the lead in the first half of the game after Shelton made a solo run down the left flank, drew out goalkeeper Paul Makotore before he coolly slotted the ball home.
Zimbabwe’ star player, attacking midfielder Nyasha Chikazenga, fought a lone battle as Mozambique dominated the match and controlled the pace of the game.
The Zimbabweans levelled the scores through Ncube after some good build-ups, laced with intelligent passes, who managed to squeeze the ball past Mozambican goalkeeper Predo.
After the goal, Zimbabwe came out of their shell as they expressed themselves freely, knocking the ball around, much to the delight of the crowd. Ncube was on top of his game and became a menace to the Mozambican defence.
Just as Zimbabwe thought they had settled, Mozambique scored their second goal early in the second half when a defensive blunder allowed Mallate to ghost in from the blind side and smash the ball in an empty net and make it 2-1.
Towards the end of the match, Zimbabwe threw caution to the wind as they searched for an equaliser that proved elusive.
They camped in the Mozambique half but could not convert their possession into goals with second half substitute Mkhokeli Ncube being the chief culprit. The last match against Uganda was a complete disaster as Zimbabwe lost their rhythm.
Zimbabwe introduced new goalkeeper Munashe Ndlovu as they rested Makotore.
Had it was not for the brilliance of ‘keeper Ndlovu, who produced some top-drawer saves, the scoreline could have been that of a rugby match.
Podrian Mayanja was unstoppable during the entire match and managed to score a hat-trick.