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Online Reporter
It’s the same old story for Zimbabwe football when the national team bowed out of the African Cup of Nations qualifiers after being held to a 2-2 draw by Tanzania in a preliminary round qualifier at the National Sports Stadium today.
Zimbabwe had lost 0-1 in the reverse fixture in Dar-as-Salam and needed to win by two clear goals at all costs to progress to the next round. Defensive midfielder Danny Phiri gave Zimbabwe the lead in the third minute but Tanzania evened the scores through their captain Nadir Haroub in the 21st minute.
The misfiring Warriors went further behind when Thomas Ulimwengu slotted on the near post past George Chigova in the 46th minute to leave the hosts chasing the game further from behind.
Willard Katsande got to the end of a cross by Denver Mukamba to raise false hope for the Zimbabwe in the 54th minute but Tanzania remained resolute in defence until the end.
After the final whistle, a section of the angry Zimbabwean fans, feeling hard done by the exit from the qualifiers, threw missile at Warriors players notably – Eric Chipeta, Patson Jaure and George Chigova.
A dejected Warriors coach Ian Gorowa said he needed time to digest the defeat before he could face the media while Zimbabwe will not wait to try for the 2017 edition of the Nations Cup.
Teams
Zimbawe – G. Chigova, H. Zvirekwi, M. Ncube, P. Jaure, E. Chipeta, D.
Phiri (P. Manhanga, 89th minute), W. Katsande, D. Mukamba (K. Musharu,
68th minute), O. Karuru, C. Malajila (T. Ndoro, 46th minute), E.
Sadomba
Tanzania – D. Munish, S. Kapombe, O. Joshua, N. Haroub, K. Yondan, H.
Chanongo, S. Msuva (S. Moradi, 77th minute), T. Ulimwengu, M.
Kazimoto, A. Kiemba (F. Domayo, 63rd minute), J. Bocco
Online Reporter