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Ishemunyoro Chingwere in CAPE TOWN, South Africa
WARRIORS coach Ian Gorowa was left a disappointed man yesterday after watching another bullish display by his charges which unfortunately failed to yield the goals the team needed to breathe life into their CHAN finals campaign. Gorowa’s men needed a win in their second Group B fixture against leaders Uganda, who had in the first match eased past Burkina Faso, but were left cursing their lucky stars, and some atrocious finishing, as they failed to bury an avalanche of chances that came their way.
A victory yesterday would have catapulted the Warriors to the summit of the standings and placed them in a strong position to qualify, for the first time, for the knockout stages of a continental tournament.
But, as was the case in the first match against Morocco, they failed where it mattered most as they fluffed chance after chance.
With poster boy and man-of-the-match Kudakwashe Mahachi in his usual flight mode, Gorowa’s men literally set base in the Ugandan half, especially in the second half, but took turns to showcase their frailties in front of goal.
The failure by Dynamos striker Simba Sithole, who somehow failed to punish the East Africans in the 64th minute from an excellent Mahachi delivery, summed up the Warriors’ day in office as was another off target header by an unmarked Charles Sibanda eight minutes later off another fine delivery by Mahachi.
Gorowa, who in the previous match left Athlone with a spring in his step after picking what appeared a very big point against Morocco, was deflated yesterday when his charges flattered to deceive in a contest they otherwise were expected to conquer.
“We are very disappointed in the result and our failure to convert the numerous chances that came our way,” said Gorowa. “This was a must-win match to boost our chances of progressing but we failed despite the good performance we displayed and unfortunately our fate is no longer in our hands.
“My hope was that we would use this match to correct our shortcomings from the Morocco game but, alas, it was not to be. We applied a lot of pressure on them and crosses were coming in but our finishing did let us down.”
Gorowa said he was hopeful his men will find solace in their good showing and still keep their heads high as all hope was not lost as yet.
“We might not have scored so far but we also haven’t conceded. My hope is the boys do not lose their confidence but rather keep the faith because we are still in it,” he said.
While conceding that their continued flirtation with the tournament was no longer in their hands, the former Mamelodi Sundowns coach — still unbeaten in competitive combat as Warriors coach — said he remained hopeful that other matches in the group might go their way and still qualify.
So dominant were the Warriors that despite their failure to convert their chances Ugandan coach Milutin “Michu” Sredojevic was full of praise for Gorowa and his charges.
“It was quite a good test for us against quite a formidable side which attacks a lot and also has a very brilliant coach in Ian. They really were coming at us and I had to change my approach in the second half to cushion our defence and it worked for us,” said Michu.
Online Reporter