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Robson Sharuko, Editor
South Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 3
Zimbabwe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
IN the end, the Bafana Bafana fans were clamouring for a FOURTH goal, probably to make up for that 1-4 thrashing, at the hands of the Dream Team, in Harare in August ’92.
The fourth goal did not come but this was still a big win for Bafana Bafana against a Zimbabwean side which showed more life than their limp surrender in their shock 0-2 defeat at the hands of Lesotho last week.
Iqraam Rayners thrust Bafana into the lead inside the first minute, Tawanda Chirewa equalised a minute later, with a beauty of a goal but a brace by substitute Thapelo Morena in the second half won the hosts the game.
But, for the Warriors, this was the night a 20-year-old forward arrived on the big stage and produced a vintage performance, which opens a window of hope, for the team’s long-suffering fans.
After a promising show, in his debut match against Lesotho, in which he rattled the crossbar, the Wolves (UK) youngster was irresistible yesterday with an individual performance which showed that the future, for these Warriors, might not be as blank as the current mood.
Chirewa imposed himself on the game from the moment he got his first touch of the ball and, within a minute of the hosts taking an early lead, after a horrible mistake by Munashe Garananga, levelled the tie for his side in Bloemfontein.
His run, and balance, tore into the heart of the retreating Bafana Bafana defence and opened a window for him. Using the outside of his boot, he toe-poked the ball home for a goal, of such beauty, it deserved the deafening roar it received from the noisy Zimbabwean fans in the packed stadium.
He could have scored a second, in added time in the first half, when his trickery, on the turn, fooled his marker and created space for him to go for the kill.
He went for the curl and time appeared to stand still as the ball floated towards its target but Garananga, and the Zimbabwean fans, could only watch in horror as the ball drifted just inches away from its target.
It’s a pity his defence kept on making blunders and goalkeeper Godfrey Chitsumba, making his debut for the Warriors, was responsible for the crucial second goal, which Bafana scored just after the break.
There was more commitment from the Warriors in this match and captain Marshall Munetsi was a tireless leader in midfield.
But, this was the Chirewa show and it’s a pity that the best player on the field ended on the losing side, a result which could have been prevented had we avoided those two costly blunders by Garananga and Chitsumba. (H-Metro)
Online Reporter