Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi Zimpapers Sports Hub
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa last night hailed the fighting spirit demonstrated by the Zimbabwe national football team despite the Warriors coming out second best in a 2027 AFCON qualifying match against a star-studded Democratic Republic of Congo outfit at the National Sports Stadium.
Although the match did not go down as the majority of the 30 000-plus home supporters would have wanted, the President was encouraged particularly after skipper Marshall Munetsi grabbed one goal back at the death, with the Warriors having trailed by two goals by half time. The match eventually ended 2-1.
“A proud and spirited performance by our national team tonight at the National Sports Stadium.
“While the final score did not go our way against the Democratic Republic of Congo, our players gave everything on the pitch and treated us to a genuinely magnificent game of football,” said the
President on his social media pages after the match.
The Warriors created a few openings early on but then found themselves trailing at the half hour mark following a goalkeeping blunder by Elvis Chipezeze.
France-born forward Yohane Wissa who plays his football at Newcastle United in England slotted home the opener.
The visitors doubled the lead shortly before the half time whistle when Wissa beat his markers inside the Warriors half and found Samuel Moutoussamy.
The Greece-based attacker Moutoussamy made no mistake with a powerful strike.
But the Warriors did not take the blows lightly. Coach Ramon Catala made a catalogue of second half substitutes, with the hope of another comeback show that was witnessed in the first match of the qualifiers when Zimbabwe scored three goals in the last 18 minutes to win 3-2 away, against Sierra Leone last week.
But yesterday they could only score once, which was not enough to rescue the points.
Munetsi scrambled home a last minute consolation after the Warriors had forced two corner kicks and put DRC under pressure.
“They showed exceptional character, skill, and resilience against formidable opponents, proving that our football is moving in the right direction,” the President said.
“Defeats are tough, but they are also the foundation of future victories. We stand firmly behind the team and the technical staff as they regroup for the rest of the AFCON qualification campaign.
“Thank you to the thousands of patriotic fans who filled the stadium and roared until the final whistle. Our journey continues!”
Zimbabwe maintained second position in the Group E after the other group match between Equatorial Guinea and visiting Sierra Leone ended in a 1-0 win for the hosts.
DRC lead with six points, while Zimbabwe are second on three points, equal with Equatorial Guinea but enjoying a slight goal difference superiority.
The match marked the return of the Warriors to play on home soil after five years of playing in exile because of issues with the National Sports Stadium, which had been flagged down by CAF for failing to meet requirements.
Government and private partners have since invested in the refurbishment of the Stadium to the satisfaction of CAF.
President Mnangagwa was among the high profile guests for the homecoming match, which attracted a sold-out crowd after CAF had set a cap at 30 000 supporters.
Fans were excited by the return of international football to Zimbabwe.
Among them was the famed DR Congo super fan known as Lumumba Vea, whose real name is Michael Kuka Mboladinga.
The DRC super fan gained global fame for standing completely motionless like a living statue during the team’s football matches.
Their coach Sebastian Desabre was also impressed by the colour and the vibes at the National Sports Stadium.
“I like the commitment between Zimbabwe and Congolese fans. They bring a very good spectacle and we like playing in front of the fans,” said Desabre.
