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The Warriors slumped to a 0-1 defeat at the hands of Guinea in a 2014 World Cup qualifier — their third straight defeat — and the first such loss in an opening game of our quest to qualify for the global football festival in 23 years.
Zimbabwe have now lost three straight matches after a 1-2 defeat in Cape Verde and a 1-2 loss in Burundi in the past few months.
But while the Warriors usually struggle to avoid defeat away from home, they battle gamely at home and were unbeaten in their backyard in their last Nations Cup qualifiers.
Even Valinhos, the Brazilian coach who lost his job after failing to take Zimbabwe to the 2010 World Cup/Nations Cup finals, did not lose any of his home matches.
Ironically, Guinea were part of that equation and when Valinhos started with a draw against the West Africans in Conakry, Rahman Gumbo slumped to defeat against the same opponents at home.
Valinhos had four points, after two matches, following a 2-0 victory over Namibia at home but it’s unlikely the Warriors will come this close as they face another tough test in Mozambique this weekend.
Zimbabwe also didn’t lose at home in the qualifiers for the 2008 Nations Cup, with the coaching duties shared by Charles Mhlauri and Norman Mapeza, drawing with Morocco and beating Malawi.
The Warriors’ last World Cup qualifier loss at home had come against Nigeria, at the National Sports Stadium, in 2004 with Gumbo, ironically, in charge of the team.
Yesterday, the country woke up to gloomy weather conditions, characterised by low temperatures and light showers, as the elements appeared in rebellion over what had happened at the giant stadium.
Stuttgart striker Ibrahima Traore hit a beauty of a freekick that left goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini a mere spectator in the 27th minute for the priceless goal.
The Warriors had their moments to level or even win the game but Takesure Chinyama, Knowledge Musona, Khama Billiat, Willard Katsande and Ovidy Karuru took turns to miss chances.
Guinea were the first side to get off the blocks when dreadlocked striker Soniah Naby forced makeshift defender Esrom Nyandoro to block for a corner kick in the sixth minute.
Three minutes later, Naby pulled the trigger on Kapini and the Warriors skipper failed to handle the shot on the first attempt and had to recollect the spill.
Guinea continued to press with their skipper Kamil Zayette taking a low shot that took an awkward bounce, on a poor pitch, before Kapini saved.
The Warriors only made their first real attempt in the 16th minute when Musona’s clever back-heel released Chinyama but the Dynamos forward failed to convert the chance.
In the 18th minute, Chinyama sent a high ball into the box but Musona failed to connect and Nyandoro then gave away the free kick at the edge of the box for Traore to hit the priceless goal.
The Warriors, however, will also feel hard done by some of the decisions by Mauritian referee Seechurn Rajindraparsad and his first assistant Bootun Ballerishna who made some close calls for offside.
Ovidy Karuru tried to come to the party in the second half as he ran rings on his opponents on the left channel but the goal was still elusive while Oscar Machapa tried to carve his way on the right.
Warriors’ assistant coach David Mandigora believes his players tried too hard in the second half instead of playing a composed game.
“It’s unfortunate that we have lost but the youngsters tried their best.
“We had better chances in the second half but we failed to beat the ‘keeper,” said Mandigora.
Mandigora believes the Warriors panicked once they fell behind.
“The goal offset us. We had to chase the game and the players tried too much and in the end hurried their efforts,” said Mandigora.
The Warriors took a rest yesterday but are expected to return for training today ahead of the next match against Mozambique in Maputo.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu