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WARRIORS’ hotshot Knowledge Musona converted a penalty, in dramatic fashion in the final minute, to power Zimbabwe to victory and the country’s hopes of qualifying for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in a match that ended in a farce at Rufaro yesterday.
The Warriors turned on one of their best performances, in front of a capacity crowd, but needed a late second half penalty to break the deadlock after Mali’s FC Metz midfielder El Hadji Mohamane Traore had equalised soon after the restart.
Musona, who scored the first goal from a tight angle in the 43rd minute, needed a retake from the spot to complete his brace in the 89th minute after enterprising midfielder Ovidy Karuru was fouled inside the box by Kalilou Traore as he charged for goal.
Musona stepped up, but his effort was saved by the impressive goalkeeper Soumala Diakite who plays for Mali champions Stade Malien.
However, second assistant referee Zakele Siwela had his flag up as the goalkeeper had moved from his line while some of his teammates encroached into the penalty area before Musona took the kick.
Emotions boiled over and the visitors finished with 10 men after second half substitute Mahamadou Diarra was shown a straight red card in a fracas, two minutes into added time.
Goalkeeper Tapiwa Kapini was knocked down in the mass brawl and South African referee Daniel Bennet had to stamp his authority.
Besides, the ugly incident, Zimbabwe had done enough to earn a deserved victory with a polished act.
The Warriors are now back in contention in Group A as they closed the gap on the leading pack to just two points with six points still on offer.
Zimbabwe, who had a slow start in the campaign, now have five points and Mali have six while surprise leaders Cape Verde are on seven after losing 1-0 to Liberia yesterday.
France-based midfielder Karuru was clearly the driving force behind the Warriors’ success as he can easily be credited with assists for both goals, scored by Musona, after putting up a mesmerising performance that won the fans’ hearts.
Karuru had the game of his life and commanded the midfield department with astonishing workmanship against the bigger Mali players, with support from rightback Gilbert Mapemba while Vusa Nyoni was also good on the other wing.
The Warriors created several scoring chances but the goals remained elusive.
They thought they had found an early opener in the ninth minute when exciting left wing Khama Billiat found the back of the net after getting a return pass from Musona but the officials ruled that he was offside.
Midfielder Tinashe Nengomasha, whose experience was crucial in the Warriors’ engine room, came close in the 41st minute but his effort was tipped over the crossbar by the goalkeeper.
The goal eventually came in the 43rd minute when Karuru received a pass from Mapemba and evaded a couple of tackles before releasing Musona inside the box.
The Kaizer Chiefs striker then made no mistake to beat goalkeeper Soumaila Diakite from a tight angle and put the Warriors ahead, much to the delight of the supportive crowd that filled Rufaro to the brim.
It was the tonic Norman Mapeza and his men needed going to the breather as Mali had threatened to shut out the lightweight home team with a physical approach.
Striker Modibo Maiga had their first clear chance in the 38th minute when he dispossessed Karuru inside the Warriors’ half but goalkeeper Kapini did well to punch his low shot out for corner kick.
But Mali’s Mohamane capitalised on a defensive mix-up to level the scores when
Warriors’ skipper Method Mwanjali and his centreback partner Thomas Sweswe failed to clear their lines in the 51st minute.
Zimbabwe, obviously aware of the implications of a draw, could not take that lying as they responded with attacking football and created a host of chances that went begging.
Musona shook his head in disbelief when his pin-point header was punched out by the goalkeeper in the 53rd minute after connecting a cross from Vusa Nyoni and then headed another effort wide, while unmarked, in the 75th minute.
Billiat and Nyoni also had their shots saved by the goalkeeper Diakite and, with the crowd becoming restless, striker Nyasha Mushekwi was pulled out in the 63rd minute.
Coach Mapeza was elated by the victory, which took away pressure from his shoulders.
“Brilliant! The guys did well and they played according to instruction.
“We have been talking about the importance of ball possession since Monday because that’s the only way we can create chances,” he said.
“It’s unfortunate we conceded a soft goal in the second half which nearly made life difficult for ourselves.
“The supporters were great today. I don’t know what to say but I want to thank them because they were behind us all the way and were very patient.
“It was a great win but we now have to continue from where we left off,” said Mapeza.
Teams
Zimbabwe – T. Kapini, G. Mapemba, V. Nyoni, T. Sweswe, M. Mwanjali, T. Nengomasha, J. Majabvi (W. Katsande, 73rd minute), O. Karuru, K. Billart, N. Mushekwi (E. Sadomba 63rd minute), K. Musona
Mali – S. Diakite, A. Traore, C. Diabate, E. Nahamone, N. Maiga, B. Traore (M. Diarra 62nd minute), K. Traore, I. Keita (A. Sidibe 51st minute), M. Fofana, C. Kante, A. Tamboura,
Latest Group A standings:
P W D L F A Pts
Cape Verde 4 2 1 1 5 3 7
Mali 4 2 0 2 4 3 6
Zimbabwe 4 1 2 1 3 3 5
Liberia 4 1 1 2 5 7 4
Bongani Ndlovu