Tadious Manyepo Zimpapers Sports Hub
WARRIORS captain Marvellous Nakamba is pleased with how Zimbabwe acquitted themselves in their goalless draw against Equatorial Guinea in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Thursday night.
Nakamba said although the result was not what Zimbabwe had travelled to Yaounde, Cameroon, to secure, the point was hard-earned, considering how their hosts desperately sought to make life difficult for Ramon Catala’s charges.
“We played well. I am happy with how we played,” said Nakamba. “We went to Cameroon to win, but a draw away from home is not a bad result. We were organised and disciplined. We fought for each other and showed a lot of character.
“The team is coming up and the chemistry is building.”
Zimbabwe went into the encounter on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Group E leaders DR Congo, while Equatorial Guinea had beaten bottom-placed Sierra Leone last month.
Equatorial Guinea threw everything forward in search of a breakthrough, but Zimbabwe stood firm, with goalkeeper Nelson Chadya putting in a solid performance between the posts.
“We did not go there to defend for 90 minutes. We went there to play our football. We wanted to win the game,” said Nakamba.
“We had our chances. We could have scored. But sometimes football can give you anything. You play well, you create, but the goal does not come.
“The most important thing is that we did not lose. We did not concede. We kept a clean sheet away from home. That is a good turnout.”
Both teams are now tied on four points, two behind Group E leaders DR Congo, and will meet again in Matchday Four of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at the National Sports Stadium on Monday.
Zimbabwe opened their campaign with a 3-2 victory over Sierra Leone before falling 2-1 to DR Congo. Equatorial Guinea, meanwhile, began with a 2-0 defeat away to DR Congo in Kinshasa before edging Sierra Leone 1-0.
Thursday’s stalemate has left the two sides level on points as they continue their pursuit of the group leaders.
“We got a point away. Now we must play well at home,” said Nakamba. “We cannot be happy with just a draw in Cameroon and then come back home and lose. We must fight well on home soil. We must win at home.
“We will be playing in front of our fans. We will be playing at the National Sports Stadium. We must use that. We must make Harare a fortress.”
Nakamba also urged supporters to turn out in large numbers and rally behind the team as Zimbabwe seek a crucial home victory. The captain knows the impact a packed National Sports Stadium can have when the Warriors are backed by passionate supporters, and believes the fans could provide the extra motivation needed on Monday.
“I want to urge the fans to come in numbers,” said Nakamba.
“Come and support us. Come and fill the National Sports Stadium. Come and make noise for us. We need you.
“When we play at home, with our fans behind us, we are a different team. We feel the energy. We feel the love. We feel the support. That pushes us.
“On Monday, we want the stadium to be full. We want the stadium to be loud.
“We are fighting for Zimbabwe. We are fighting for the country. We are fighting for the flag. Come and fight with us.
“On Monday, we will fight. We will fight for every ball. We will fight for every point.”
Catala is expected to make changes to his squad on Monday as the Warriors pursue a victory that would strengthen their qualification prospects for the 2027 AFCON finals, which will be co-hosted by Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.
