Online Reporter
Petros Kausiyo in LONDON, England
Zimbabwe …………………………………….. 1
India …………………………………………. 0
PRINCE DUBE needed just one game to remind everyone what Zimbabwe had been missing.
Back in Warriors colours for the first time this year, the Young Africans striker converted a penalty won by Marshall Munetsi that secured a 1-0 victory over India and handed Zimbabwe the bronze medal in the Unity Cup third-place play-off at The Valley Stadium yesterday.
After looking blunt in attack during the 2-0 semi-final defeat to Nigeria on Tuesday, the Warriors welcomed back their most reliable reference point up front and immediately looked more threatening.
Dube, who missed the Nigeria match after arriving late from Tanzania and had also been sidelined by injury during the Mukuru Four Nations tournament in Botswana in March, delivered the decisive moment in the 34th minute.
Munetsi was brought down inside the box after a slick attacking move before Dube calmly sent Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Sandhu the wrong way from the penalty spot.
It proved enough to settle a contest in which Zimbabwe enjoyed better possession and created clearer opportunities, although they again struggled to fully convert their dominance into goals.
The bronze medal capped a respectable first appearance at the annual four-nation tournament for the Warriors, who were using the competition as part of their rebuilding process under interim coach Kaitano Tembo.
Dube was delighted to mark his return with a winning contribution.
“I must first of all praise the Almighty God for this,” he said. “It’s important to win as a team and then move on from here.
“It is always an honour to play for my country. I always want to do my best whenever I get a chance and contribute to the team’s success.
“In football, you just have to believe. If you believe, you can achieve because it is a team sport.”
Tembo, who recorded his first victory as Warriors coach, drew encouragement from the performance.
“It’s always good to win because as an individual and as a team it gives confidence,” said Tembo.
“But what is most important for me is building a strong foundation for this team.
“We could have called all our strongest players for this tournament, but we wanted to use this opportunity to have a look at other players and we thank the organisers for giving us that platform.”
Tembo said there were positives in the way his side defended, adapted to India’s style and coped with unfamiliar conditions during a week in which London experienced unusually hot weather.
He made some changes to the team beaten by Nigeria, benching skipper Marvelous Nakamba along with goalkeeper Future Sibanda, Sean Fusire, Jonah Fabisch, Junior Zindoga and Tawanda Chirewa.
Italy-based Jordan Zemura was also excused from camp.
The changes did little to mask one of Zimbabwe’s recurring concerns.
While the Warriors controlled large spells of the match, they still lacked enough sharpness in the final third and failed to fully punish an Indian side that struggled to impose itself.
There were, however, encouraging signs in midfield where the industrious Abubakar Moffat enjoyed an influential afternoon, helping drive the team forward while also shielding the defence.
Zimbabwe nearly doubled their lead before the break when Corbin Mthunzi sparked a promising move down the right.
Munetsi carried the attack forward and found Mongameli Tshuma, but the Highlanders forward could not generate enough power to beat Sandhu.
India’s best chance arrived in the 59th minute when Ricky Shabong raced through and beat goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva, only to see his effort crash against the upright.
Sensing an opportunity to kill off the contest, Tembo introduced Chirewa, Fusire and Fabisch just after the hour mark.
The substitutes added fresh energy and Zimbabwe continued to dictate proceedings, although the elusive second goal never arrived.
Munetsi came closest in the closing stages when he failed to apply the finishing touch to a promising move created by Chirewa.
In the end, Dube’s first-half penalty separated the sides and ensured the Warriors left London with a victory, a medal and valuable lessons as Tembo continues shaping a team for the future.
Team
Zimbabwe: Marley Tavaziva, Corbin Mthunzi, Shane Maroodza, Munashe Garananga (Isheanesu Mauchi 46th minute), Gerald Takwara, Abubakar Moffat, Emmanuel Jalai (Sean Fusire 61st minute), Mongameli Tshuma (Jonah Fabisch 61st minute), Prince Dube, Marshall Munetsi, Washington Navaya (Tawanda Chirewa 61st minute).
Bongani Ndlovu
Are we being kind to the Warriors? Their game against India (the world’s best cricketers) was one of the worst games I have watched. Yes Warriors are ranked 130 in world football, almost at the tail end of the football universe and India is number 136, virtually the fur tips of the world football tail yet it required a penalty for Warriors to secure victory. Come on, let’s be serious. There was absolutely nothing to talk about besides poor showmanship by the Warriors. ZIFA should learn to decline offers that expose the Warriors’ atrocious shape. It was the pinnacle of embarrassment. A typical horror show. Or maybe it was meant to be a cartoon strip by combining reggae, cricket and football.