adminMthokozisi Dube Sports Reporter
THE Young Warriors need a two-goal margin victory against Malawi this afternoon at Barbourfields Stadium to qualify for the semi-final of the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Youth Games Under-17 boys’ football tournament.
Zimbabwe are third in Group A, two points behind Angola and Malawi who are tied on seven points.
Angola yesterday sailed through to the last four after beating Swaziland 4-0 at a packed Luveve Stadium.
Knowing that a draw or a low margin win will dent their chances of making it for the semi-final, Angola came fired-up surging ahead in the 18th minute when Vladimir Etson Antonio connected a Nelson Da Luz cross.
They doubled their lead through Oliveira Fransisco Soares just after the hour-mark before putting the game beyond the reach of Swaziland two minutes before half time.
Five minutes into the second half Angola won a freekick outside the box and up stepped Cristopher Luzala Mbuin to hit a stunner that left Swaziland’s goalkeeper Lwethu Peaceful Simelane clutching thin air.
Angola coach Simao Jose hailed his boys for an excellent display.
“We played very well and controlled the game. Now our focus is on the next stage and we’re ready for our next opponents,” said Jose.
Angola will meet Group B winners Zambia as they will finish second on the table with the winner between Zimbabwe and Malawi setting a date with Namibia.
The Young Warriors are ruing the points that they dropped against Mozambique and Angola who held them to 1-1 draws. In both matches, the hosts surrendered their leads and squandered scoring opportunities.
Zimbabwe’s coach Tafadzwa Mashiri understands the pressure that his charges are in and thinks that yesterday’s result had rejuvenated his charges.
“We wasted an opportunity in our previous game against Angola and that put us in a very compromising position to progress to the next stage. We’ve to take our chances and the boys understand what they’ve to do. They recharged batteries during our rest day,” he said.
Online Reporter