Warriors draw

Harare Bureau
Zimbabwe…………………………………………………….(1) 1
Mozambique……………………………………………….. (0) 1
THE question the disappointed Zimbabweans were left asking yesterday was when will the Warriors start winning home matches again after they finished their World Cup, African qualifiers bottom of their pool in this dead rubber tie at Rufaro.

Needing nothing short of victory to restore their battered pride, the players once again disappointed in their fifth straight match this year and not even the shift from the National Sports Stadium to Rufaro has helped their pathetic outcomes.

Since beating Botswana 2-1 at Rufaro in an international friendly in February, Zimbabwe have not won a single match they have played before their home fans and their failure to fill stadium yesterday was a pointer to fans who are losing confidence in the brand.

Zimbabwe had appeared well on course for a victory after skipper Masimba Mambare beat goalkeeper Soares Soares from close range in the 41st minute but substitute Manuel Fernandes evened the scores in the 70th minute.

At the end of their qualifiers yesterday, the current Warriors material have the dishonour of being the first squad to fail to win a single World Cup qualifying game in a campaign since Independence.

Coach Ian Gorowa was once again left searching for his first victory at home although he has managed to stretch his unbeaten run to four matches now and will be hoping for a better show when Zimbabwe play South Africa in an international friendly at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg tomorrow.

The former Black Rhinos striker yesterday blamed their poor preparations for the final qualifier against Mozambique as he only got two full days to work with the players.

“That’s why I have been complaining that we cannot play games on Wednesday and Thursday and then have the players to the national team.

“So I think the guys were tired and my concern is on the preparations, but this is not an excuse though.
“Mozambique have been in camp since the 20th of August, waiting for this game and I complained about our preparations,” said Gorowa.
But while he believed their preparations were  chaotic, Gorowa also admitted that his players were their own worst enemies after they fluffed a number of scoring chances.

“We did well to get a point, but we were not sharp upfront but  I saw some positives from Kuda Mahachi whom we put in today and I also think that Bruce Kangwa, the left back did not perform badly,” he said.

Gorowa gave Mahachi his maiden senior national team cap and the Chicken Inn player was the most exciting Zimbabwean player on view with his penetrating runs and mobility.

Mahachi and Willard Katsande were the only players who were consistent in playing the ball forward as the rest tended to play to too many backpasses.

“I am obviously disappointed that we did not win but it was just too much for the boys and we still have to look at some positions especially upfront where we still need to see who can play where,” said Gorowa.

Predatory striker Nelson Maziwa fired blanks after he was thrust in as the lone striker in the first half while his club-mate Donald Ngoma was introduced in the second half.

“I think Nelson was trying too hard and hence he could not score. So we are disappointed that we did not win but the boys did their best,” he said.

Zimbabwe could have wrapped up the match in the first half where Mahachi and Mambare were creating chances but still the team lacked precision on the final ball.

Tawanda Muparati also pulled the trigger in the 29th from just outside the box and Soares had to use his legs to block the attempt but Mahachi failed to convert from the rebound.

Muparati manufactured the Warriors’ goal when he struck a shot that Soares blocked back into play and from the rebound the Dynamos skipper hit the upright and the ball ricocheted to Mambare to blast home.

During the first half, Mozambique also had their moments and Warriors goalkeeper George Chigova was thrice forced to make crucial fine saves as he tipped the ball over the bar for a corner kick.

It seemed the Warriors were now complacent in the second half after taking the slender lead as they allowed the Mambas to come on them with Elias Pelembe and Dario Ivan Khan threatening from the box.

However, Gorowa might look back at his decision to eject Peter Moyo who had been playing rather well as their waterloo because Mozambique started getting a big shout in the midfield battles while Murapati had slumped in his performance.

Only Mahachi remained consistent while Oscar Machapa should take the flak for Mozambique’s goal after he failed to clear an effort by Josimor Machaisse and Fernandes punished the hosts.

Mozambique, just like Zimbabwe finished the World Cup qualifiers without a victory after managing three draws and their coach Joao Chissano believed the dead rubber World Cup qualifier was useful in their preparations for the African Nations Championship finals in South Africa next year.

“We drew against Zimbabwe in Maputo and we came here and also drew and we are disappointed by how we have fared during these qualifiers.

“We have managed only three points but I think the result was good for us today considering that Zimbabwe are a good team,” said Chissano.
Teams

Zimbabwe:  George Chigova, Oscar Machapa, Bruce Kangwa, Patson Jaure,  Tawanda Muparati (Charles Sibanda 80th min), Peter Moyo (Hardlife Zvirekwi 64th min) Nelson Maziwisa, Kuda Mahachi, Willard Katsande, Erick Chipeta,  Masimba Mambare (Donald Ngoma 64th min),

Mozambique : Soares Soares, Diego Alberto (Manuel Fernades 64th min) Stelio Enersto, Josimor Machaisse, Joao Mazive (Seddan Guamba58th min) Almiro Lobo, Francisco Mioche, Guilherme Manhique, Elias Pelembe, Dario Ivan Khan , Apson Manjate (Mario Sinamunda 46th min),