Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo in FRANCISTOWN
Zambia……………………………..……………0
Zimbabwe…………………………………..…..(0)1
THE eight-year trophy drought is OVER.
This follows a victory in the Mukuru 4Nations final at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium last night.
The Warriors last won a trophy in 2018 when they lifted the COSAFA Cup under Sunday “Mhofu” Chidzambwa in Polokwane, South Africa.
Substitute Junior Zindoga forced Zambian defender Kafunti Saisada into scoring an own goal late in the game when the match looked like it was going to be decided on penalties.
Unlike the semi-final win over Botswana last Saturday, last night’s victory wasn’t an easy one.
Zambia brought their alternative team as their regular side faced Argentina in an international friendly in the early hours of today.
But Zimbabwe didn’t have a full-strength squad either after more than seven regulars withdrew from the Botswana trip due to different reasons, including injuries.
Under coach Mario Marinica, the Warriors haven’t found it difficult to score and midway through the opening half, Macauley Bonne headed home from a Mongameli Tshuma cross, but the effort was flagged for offside.
It came moments after the striker had failed to beat Zambian ‘keeper Joseph Mulenga in a one-versus-one situation.
Basically Zimbabwe pitched tent in Zambia’s defensive third but Mulenga was always denying them the breakthrough goal including in the second half when Bill Antonio also bumped into his sprawling body when the fans were already celebrating.
The moment arrived when the Antonio laid the ball onto Zindoga and who carried it down the flank, left his marker for dead and patiently waited before lifted it for the own goal.
Mario said:
“I think I should congratulate all the backroom staff, everyone that actually helped us, including the players, they’ve done fantastically well to get together and to actually to try to push to practice what we wanted to do.
“I think it’s a good stepping stone for us to be able to move on from now.
“And, also, I want to congratulate all the organisers for supporting us and Botswana FA for trying to make this tournament perfect.”
He added:
“Our opponents worked very hard and it was a very, very tough battle.
“If you look, Zambia was very close. They had their chances, we had our chances. So it was a very, very close match.
“I think overall, it was a very good performance from us. But at the same time, our opponents, they put us, you know, under quite a lot of pressure and they were very good.
“If you were to look at Botswana in the second half and Zambia, most of the match, so I think we’ve done well.
“But at the same time, we faced a fantastic challenge from the opponents.”
Zindoga said:
“I am happy to have helped my country. I am happy for the first international trophy in my hand. That’s fantastic.”
Teams
Zambia
Joseph Mulenga, Jonathan Kalimina (Headson Paira 62min), Jackson Phiri, Kafunti Saisada, Lukas Mutoshi, Humphrey Kawanga, Patson Kwataine, Abel Nyirongo (Derick Bulaya 62nd min) Abraham Sankombo (Golden Mashata 70th min), Eliya Mandanji
Zimbabwe
Elvis Chipezeze, Emmanuel Jalai, Godknows Murwira, Gerald Takwara, Shane Maroodza, Isheanesu Mauchi (Corbin Mthunzi 80th min), Marvelous Nakamba, Mongameli Tshuma (Junior Selemani 46th min)(Junior Zindoga 62nd min), Jonah Fabisch, Bill Antonio, Macauley Bonne
