Win silences Warriors critics

Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
FORMER Soccer Star of the Year Charles Sibanda yesterday said their 1-0 win against Zambia in Ndola on Saturday silenced critics who were of the view that local-based players are incompetent.
Sibanda scored the solitary goal for Zimbabwe as they booked their place in next year’s African Nations Championships (Chan) finals to be held in South Africa.

The former Entumbane High School star said the victory in Ndola was sweet revenge against a team who beat them 2-0 at last month’s Cosafa final that was played at the same venue, Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

“It was always going to be difficult against Zambia but we knew that we were capable of progressing to the next stage. I think the other thing that inspired us is that we wanted revenge after losing in the Cosafa final which we had dominated.

“Another motivating factor for us was that we knew about the opportunities that come along with playing in such a continental competition such as being spotted by international scouts.

“Above all, this victory has also silenced those who thought that we are unable to win and for me to score such a crucial goal is something I will cherish for a long time. I hope to continue playing, being part of the Warriors who are driven by the zeal to win,” said Sibanda.

The FC Platinum attacking midfielder who can also play as a striker found the back of the net in the 63rd minute when he connected a Nelson Maziwisa cross and coolly beat Zambia’s goalkeeper Danny Munyao.

In Zambia, national team coach Ian Gorowa made four changes with Highlanders’ striker Milton Ncube playing as a leftback while Caps United’s goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube made way for Dynamos’ George Chigova.

Chicken Inn’s defensive midfielder Danny Phiri got a senior national team cap as he started ahead of Peter Moyo of Highlanders with the skipper Masimba Mambare starting on the bench making way for Donald Ngoma.
Gorowa’s tactical changes earned him his second victory as Warriors’ head coach out of four outings. He registered his first win in the first

Chan qualifying round match when they beat Mauritius 3-0 away.

They went on to play a one-all draw with the Indian Ocean islanders at Rufaro Stadium and played a 0-0 draw with Zambia in Harare.
Sibanda applauded his teammates for managing to defend their lead and silence the Zambian fans. He thanked a handful of Zimbabwean

supporters who managed to travel to Zambia for the game.

“You know the stadium atmosphere was just intimidating and we just had to calm our nerves. Those people (Zambians) love their team and I think after winning the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) trophy in 2012 they gained more confidence.

“As the Warriors we are grateful to our supporters who managed to travel and as players we knew that we could not afford to let them down because the long journey by road becomes unbearable if you lose,” said Sibanda.

He said his focus now was on the domestic league and was hopeful that FC Platinum will win their first major silverware this season, the BancABC Sup8r Cup.

FC Platinum will take on Monomotapa in the first semi-final to be played in Bulawayo on Saturday with Dynamos facing Shabanie Mine a day later again in Bulawayo at Barbourfields Stadium.