Online Reporter
Petros Kausiyo in London, England
FORMER Highlanders striker Prince Dube returned to Warriors duty in style yesterday, scoring the decisive goal as Zimbabwe beat India 1-0 to claim bronze at the Unity Cup in London.
The Young Africans forward, making his first Warriors appearance of the year, won and converted a first-half penalty to hand interim coach Kaitano Tembo his maiden victory in charge and help Zimbabwe end their debut campaign at the four-nation tournament on a positive note.
After struggling for cutting edge in the 2-0 semi-final defeat to Nigeria earlier in the week, the Warriors found the spark they needed in Dube, whose 34th-minute strike ultimately settled the third-place play-off at The Valley Stadium.
Dube, who missed the Nigeria match after arriving late from Tanzania and had also been sidelined by injury during the Mukuru Four Nations tournament in Botswana in March, delivered the decisive moment in the 34th minute.
The striker was brought down inside the box after a slick attacking move and calmly picked himself up before sending Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Sandhu the wrong way from the penalty spot.
It proved enough to settle a contest in which Zimbabwe enjoyed the better possession and created the clearer opportunities, although they again struggled to fully convert their dominance into goals.
The bronze medal capped a respectable first appearance at the annual four-nation tournament for the Warriors, who were using the competition as part of their rebuilding process under interim coach Tembo.
Dube was delighted to mark his return with a winning contribution.
“I must first of all praise the Almighty God for this,” he said.
“It’s important to win as a team and then move on from here.
“It is always an honour to play for my country. I always want to do my best whenever I get a chance and contribute to the team’s success.
“In football you just have to believe. If you believe, you can achieve because it is a team sport.”
Tembo, who recorded his first victory as Warriors coach, also drew encouragement from the performance.
“It’s always good to win because as an individual and as a team it gives confidence,” said Tembo.
“But what is most important for me is building a strong foundation for this team.
“We could have called all our strongest players for this tournament but we wanted to use this opportunity to have a look at other players and we thank the organisers for giving us that platform.”
The coach said there were positives in the way his side defended, adapted to India’s style and coped with unfamiliar conditions during a week in which London experienced unusually hot weather.
Tembo made seven changes to the team beaten by Nigeria, resting skipper Marvelous Nakamba along with goalkeeper Future Sibanda, Sean Fusire, Jonah Fabisch, Junior Zindoga and Tawanda Chirewa. Italy-based Jordan Zemura was also excused from camp.
The changes did little to mask one of Zimbabwe’s recurring concerns.
While the Warriors controlled large spells of the match, they still lacked enough sharpness in the final third and failed to fully punish an Indian side that struggled to impose itself.
There were, however, encouraging signs in midfield where the industrious Abubakar Moffat enjoyed an influential afternoon, helping drive the team forward while also shielding the defence.
Zimbabwe nearly doubled their lead before the break when Corbin Mthunzi sparked a promising move down the right. Marshall Munetsi carried the attack forward and found Mongameli Tshuma, but the Highlanders forward could not generate enough power to beat Sandhu.
India’s best chance arrived in the 59th minute when Ricky Shabong raced through and beat goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva, only to see his effort crash against the upright.
Sensing an opportunity to kill off the contest, Tembo introduced Chirewa, Fusire and Fabisch just after the hour mark.
The substitutes added fresh energy and Zimbabwe continued to dictate proceedings, although the elusive second goal never arrived.
Munetsi came closest in the closing stages when he failed to apply the finishing touch to a promising move created by Chirewa.
In the end, Dube’s first-half penalty separated the sides and ensured the Warriors left London with a victory, a medal and valuable lessons as Tembo continues shaping a team for the future.Teams
Zimbabwe: Marley Tavaziva, Corbin Mthunzi, Shane Maroodza, Munashe Garananga (Isheanesu Mauchi 46th minute), Gerald Takwara, Abubakar Moffat, Emmanuel Jalai (Sean Fusire 61st minute), Mongameli Tshuma (Jonah Fabisch 61st minute), Prince Dube, Marshall Munetsi, Washington Navaya (Tawanda Chirewa 61st minute).
India: Gurpreet Sandhu, Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan, Akash Mishra, Lallianzuala Chhangte (Mohamed Kundoi 75th minute), Vikram Singh, Rahim Ali (Edmund Lalrindika 82nd minute), Farukh Choudhary, Macarton Nickson (Jeakson Thounaojam 82nd minute), Ricky Shabong, Nikhil Poojary (Nikhil Barla 88th minute).
derick.khumalo