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Petros Kausiyo in WINDHOEK, Namibia
Zimbabwe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(0) 2
Swaziland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
WARRIORS coach Kallisto Pasuwa acknowledged that his charges were lucky to scrap a point after playing second fiddle to Swaziland in their opening COSAFA Castle Cup Group A match at the Sam Nujoma Stadium here yesterday.
Twice the Warriors fell behind and twice they had to fight their way back to earn a point, which Pasuwa feels could yet prove vital in the race to secure a quarter-final place.
Double scorer Felix Badenhorst thrust Sihlangu into the lead in the 16th minute with a free header before he struck again from the penalty spot in the 69th minute.
But to their credit, the Warriors refused to throw in the towel and first drew level via seasoned striker Obadiah Tarumbwa 11 minutes into the second period before big centre back Elisha Muroiwa ensured there would be no upset win for Sihlangu when he turned home Zimbabwe’s second of the afternoon in the 79th minute.
Pasuwa, however noted that it was Swaziland who were the better side and could have stunned his side had they been more precise in front of goal or found goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva yielding.
Mukuruva was once again outstanding in goal for Zimbabwe and although Tarumbwa was voted man of the match, the Dynamos goalkeeper could have also claimed the award as did Swaziland’s Badenhorst.
The counter got off to a slow start with neither side threatening but Sihlangu who were playing a tactically disciplined game soon found their rhythm and snatched the lead just after the quarter of the our mark.
Sihlangu who have retained the same side that fell 4-0 to the Warriors’ African Cup of Nations side at the National Sports Stadium on Easter Monday played with confidence and cohesion that also won them the admiration of the Zimbabwe coach.
“We wanted to knock the ball around and open up spaces in the opponents’ defence but we were often second to the ball and we lost possession in our defensive third.
“It has to do with some combinations which we are still perfecting since we changed the team. The cohesion and the understanding in the Swaziland team was superb today and the fact that they have been having the same team for a long time was clearly showing today and it has helped them.
“Every coach needs time to build on his project,’’ Pasuwa said.
Swaziland mentor Harries Bulunga was disappointed with the result and felt “this was an opportunity to beat Zimbabwe today’’.
“I think it was a balanced match we were in control in the first half where our transition was very good and I am not happy that for all the dominance and the chances that we created in this whole match we just managed to convert two into goals.
“ Zimbabwe’s quality showed in the second half and they pressed us in search of the goals and they got them.
“We have been in good form coming into this tournament and we have kept the same team for all the competitions that we play in and I think it has helped us to be more compact.
“We restricted Zimbabwe but I noted that we are still having lapses in concentration on and as a result we conceded some soft goals. Be that as it may we should give credit to Zimbabwe for coming from behind and I think that has put us under pressure to win our next game against Seychelles to stay in contention,’’ Bulunga said.
The Warriors will now face Madagascar on Tuesday night just after Seychelles would have played Swaziland at the same venue.
Teams:
Zimbabwe: T. Mukuruva, H . Zvirekwi, R. Pfumbidzai, T. Hadebe, E. Muroiwa, D. Phiri, T. Mudehwe (R. Manuvire 77th minute), N. Masuku, C. Mashumba, O. Tarumbwa (T. Kutinyu 87th minute), B. Kangwa (T. Chawapihwa 54th minute)
Swaziland: G. Sandile, S. Mabila, Muzi Dlamini (W. Nhleko 82nd minute), S. Mdluli, S. Mkhweli, F. Badenhorst, S. Ndzinisa, M. Lukhele, M. Dlamini, N. Ndlovu, T. Tsabedze (M. Palma 69th minute)
Online Reporter