Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda in MARRAKECH, Morocco
Zimbabwe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1) 2
South Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 3
WHEN Moroccan referee Mustapha Kechchaf blew the final whistle, it sounded like a reminder of the pain Zimbabwean football lovers have endured for two decades.
Once again, Zimbabwe crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations at the group stages, for the sixth time since 2004 when they made their debut in Tunisia.
Although Zimbabwe finished bottom of Group B, this time around, the Warriors bowed out with some bit of dignity.
They came back from behind twice before succumbing to a late penalty by South African danger man Oswin Appollis.
Bafana Bafana, who finished second in the Group, got off the blocks early and could have scored after only 59 seconds.
Sipho Mbule shot wide inside the box as South Africa threatened to rip Zimbabwe apart from the onset.
After only six minutes, South Africa were already 1-0 up, Tshepang Moremi’s shot deflected by Divine Lunga, beyond a diving Washington Arubi.
Tawanda Maswanhise who missed Zimbabwe’s opening two matches against Egypt and Angola, equalised in the 19th minute.
What a brilliant goal it was!
The Motherwell hotshot striker weaved through a couple of South African defenders, turned the highly rated Mbokazi inside out before firing past Ronwen Williams, the best keeper in Africa.
There was bedlam inside the Marrakech Stadium soon after that goal as Zimbabwean fans, who outnumbered their opponents, went crazy.
It was 1-1 at half-time but South Africa regained the lead five minutes after the restart.
Arubi failed to deal with an atrocious back header from Divine Lunga and Lyle Foster benefited, nodding past a desperate Arubi to silence the crowd.
The Warriors did not give up.
Maswanhise was released by the impressive Tawanda Chirewa and ran towards goal.
He fired a low shot that was blocked by Williams but the ball ricocheted off defender Aubrey Modiba into the back of the net in the 74th minute.
South Africa who were heavily tipped to win this contest then got another lifeline.
Zimbabwe captain Marvelous Nakamba handled the ball in an attempt to clear and South Africa were awarded a penalty after the VAR intervention.
The Warriors had a number of chances that they spurned.
Munashe Garananga rose above everyone in the South African box but his header from a free kick by Jonah Fabisch flew over.
Substitutes Macauley Bonne, Junior Zindoga and teenager Tadiwa Chakuchichi also had their chances.
Maswanhise also hit the upright midway through the second half.
“We will have to look into the future,” Warriors coach Marian Marinica said.
The introduction of 16-year-old Scottland FC player Chakuchichi was perhaps a cue for Zimbabwe to look into the future with some hope.
Chakuchichi became the youngest player to feature at the 2025 AFCON finals.
But for now Zimbabweans have to digest the pain of failing to progress beyond the group stages at the AFCON finals.
They finished bottom of Group B with a point they got from the draw against Angola.
Egypt topped the group with seven points, one ahead of South Africa while Angola finished on two points.
