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Ishemunyoro Chingwere in Johannesburg, South Africa
Zimbabwe . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
Gabon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
The Warriors warmed up to the African Nations Championship opener with a convincing display that saw off the challenge of fellow finalists Gabon in a friendly international here at the Rand Stadium yesterday. Goals in either half by Donald Ngoma and Milton Ncube were all Ian Gorowa’s charges needed to send warning shots to fellow Group B teams – Morocco, Uganda and Burkina Faso.
While the scoreline might appear as if the match was a contest, it really was one-sided affair with the Warriors in bullish display which left Gorowa, still unbeaten as coach of the national team, a happy man.
“The guys played extremely well and I am really happy with everybody’s display and commitment to the cause,” said Gorowa.
“There were quite a number of things we wanted to see after a long time in camp with no competitive test after that win over Mozambique and I am happy all did came out well.”
He employed an attacking team which did very well to pin the Gabonese in their half and kept them at bay for large spells of the match.
With Highlanders attacking winger Milton Ncube and Hardlife Zvirekwi playing on the wingbacks, Gorowa clearly showed intent for an all-out approach and the two did not disappoint as they made numerous forays into enemy territory.
Captain Partson Jaure and Eric Chipeta were solid in the heart of George Chigova’s defensive line, shutting out the highly-rated Daniel Cousin, who once played for English Premiership side Hull City.
Chicken Inn exciting winger Kudakwashe Mahachi was at his usual best with his trickery a thorn in the flesh for the Stephane Bounguendza-coached side, but it is his disappointing final ball which should worry Gorowa and his technical team.
With Super Diski scouts in attendance, it will be very difficult for the Warriors to return home with the 2013 Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year finalist thanks to his jaw-dropping displays.
Mahachi had the stadia, surprisingly predominantly Gabonese, saluting him after a solo run which saw him gliding past three defenders, exchanging passes with substitute Nelson Maziwisa before the latter fired in a rising shot that was tipped over by goalkeeper Bitseki Stephane.
The subsequent corner was taken by FC Platinum forward Charles Sibanda and met an alert Ncube who directed it into the far post beyond Bitseki’s reach.
The Warriors had earlier on beaten the half time whistle with Ngoma heading home a swinging free-kick by midfielder Ali Sadiki from the right.
The poor conversion rate by strikers that has stalked the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League has also cascaded into the national side and the frontline led by Simba Sithole of Dynamos must up their act if Gorowa’s men are to go beyond the group stages.
The Warriors will now fly to Cape Town this morning where they will play another friendly against ABSA Premiership side Ajax Cape Town tomorrow ahead of their Group B opener against Morocco on Sunday.
Teams
Zimbabwe: G Chigova, P Jaure, E Chipeta (F Chindungwe 88th min), H Zvirekwi (O Machapa 83rd min), M Ncube, D Phiri, A Sadiki (S Sithole 80th min), P Manhanga (C Sibanda 65th), S Sithole (Nelson Maziwisa 57th min), K Mahachi, D Ngoma (P Moyo 60th min)
Gabon: Bitseki Stephane, Aaron Appidangoye, Erwine Ngurma, Cyzille Avebe), Emmanuel Ndorle, Kabi Tchen, Franck Engonga, Knox Younga (Alain Djissikadie 55th min), Lionel Yakouya, Bonaventure Sokambi (Davy Mayoungou 71st min),Daniel Cousin
Online Reporter