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Tadious Manyepo
Sports Reporter
Zimbabwe’s hopes of finishing the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations undefeated have been dashed after losing their last qualifier 2-1 to Cameroon in Yaounde this afternoon.
The Warriors and the Indomitable Lions had already rubber-stamped their presence at the biennial tournament to be held in Morocco next year by the time they faced off at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium.
But both were looking to top the group with Cameroon on 11 points, two above Zimbabwe who would overtake them with a win.
But it was Cameroon who came off the blocks faster with Vincent Aboubakar and Georges-Kevin N’Koudou scoring within five minutes of each other in the 18th and 23rd minute.
And for a moment, the hosts appeared to be poised to brutally tear apart their hosts but goalkeeper Washington Arubi stood tall and firm between the posts to keep the Warriors in the game.
Zimbabwe came from the first half significantly changed and substitute Terrence Dzvukamanja halved the deficit with an exquisite finish off a layup by the impressive Jordan Zemura.
The two combined well again and Dzvukamanja had the ball in the net deep into injury time but the far side assistant referee flagged the goal for offside although replays showed it should have stood.
Before the officiating mistake, Dzvukamanja had crashed his header against the upright with Cameroon ‘keeper Andre Onana well-beaten.
Zimbabwe will head to Morocco but will be disappointed they failed to do so without conceding any defeat.
In a group that also had Namibia and Kenya, the Warriors won two games and drew three with this afternoon’s loss their only defeat.
Online Reporter