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ZIMBABWE failed to make use of their numerical advantage as they bowed out of the Cosafa Under-20 Youth Championship after falling to neighbours South Africa in a penalty shootout in this semi-final in Maseru yesterday. The Young Warriors lost 4-3 in the shootout after a goalless draw in regulation time as Amajita played half the game one-man down following the sending off of goalkeeper Jody February by Malagasy referee Andofetra Rakotojoana.
February was shown a red card late in the opening half when he strayed outside his area and used his hands to block the ball after Zimbabwe had launched a dangerous counter attack, with Mgcini Sibanda going for the kill.
South Africa, however, managed to hold on with reserve ‘keeper Dumisani Msibi barely tested and the match had to be decided by a penalty shootout.
Mgcini Sibanda could have done better when he headed into the hands of Msibi, the ‘keeper’s first test in the 47th minute, while Livingstone Genti fired straight at the goalminder with a stinging drive about three minutes later.
Zimbabwe coach Jairos Tapera, who was exposed for keeping his conservative one-man attacking formation even when the opposition were one-man down, then made a double substitution on the 56th minute.
He brought in CAPS United winger Takudzwa Mahori and Machael Ngwenya for Carlos Rusere and Wisdom Mutasa.
The move, however, had no immediate dividends and Ngwenya had to be pulled out again in the 90th minute and replaced by Hwange’s Pritchard Mpelele.
South Africa, to their credit, managed to stay alive as the game spilled to the penalty shootout.
The Young Warriors got off to a horrible start in the lottery when they missed their first two kicks taken by skipper Ronald Pfumbidzai and Livingstone Genti as impressive goalkeeper Dominic Donovan tried in vain to keep them in the game by saving Amajita’s first penalty.
Munyaradzi Diro, Liberty Chakoroma and Walter Musona were on target but the goals accounted for nothing as South Africa also converted their last four spot kicks.
The Young Warriors team manager Patrick Mutesva said the players were dejected after the loss.
Coach Jairos Tapera refused to speak to The Herald, as he soaked in his disappointment, and the manager could only say they failed to make use of the numerical advantage.
“We are disappointed. The boys are dejected. South Africa were not threatening and we had an advantage when their goalkeeper was red carded and we failed to maximise on that,” said Mutesva.
Zimbabwe will now play Angola in the third place play-off in Maseru tomorrow after the Angolans lost 0-2 to guest nation Kenya in another semi-final.
The East Africans got their goals from Enock Agwanda who converted from the spot in the 20th minute while Nairuka John doubled the lead in the 54th minute.
Team
Zimbabwe
Dovan Benard, Carlos Rusere (Takudzwa Mahori, 56th minute), Wisdom Mutasa (Michael Ngwenya, 56th minute, Pritchard Mpelele, 90th minute), Walter Musona, Livingstone Genti, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Tafadzwa Kutinyu, Jimmy Kanono, Mgcini Sibanda, Liberty Chakoroma, Munyaradzi Diro
Online Reporter