adminAngola midfielder Mateus Domingos scored the all-important goal in the 65th minute, when he intercepted a ball which defender Tafadzwa Ngwena had failed to clear and the player who had been giving the hosts a tough time shot to the far post and the ball sailed into the nets.
The goal came as the Zimbabwe Under-20 soccer team appeared to have been rejuvenated following the introduction of Walter Musona in the second period and briefly put the opponents under siege.
But the Angolans who were the better side of the day managed to defend their crucial away goal and after the match, joined by the Angolan students based here, showed what the result meant as they broke into song and dance as if they had just qualified for the last round of the tournament which will be held in Algeria next year.
The match began with the visitors controlling the proceedings as the Zimbabwe defence battled to contain Domingos and his midfielders Manuel Afonso and Manuel Matos.
As early as the 11th minute the hosts found themselves in trouble, and defender Elvis Moyo, one of the Bantu Rovers twin brothers, came to the rescue when he cleared the ball from the line after goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga had came off his line after making an acrobatic save but his clearance fell onto the path of the opponent who shot back into the empty net but the left back timeously cleared the ball away and Zimbabwe heaved a sigh of relief.
After five minutes the Black Mambas goalkeeper, who appeared jittery in the first period, was forced to clear his lines again after Angolan Matos had swept into the box as the defence was struggling to match their opponents.
However, Zimbabwe’s breakthrough came in the 24th minute, when Chicken Inn midfielder Kuda Mahachi’s shot appeared to have squeezed past the goalkeeper Adilson Cruz at the far left post. The ball had a bounce but somehow the goalie collected it and South African referee Gomes Miguel waved play on.
It could have changed the complexion of the match but ten minutes later, Zimbabwe were in trouble again when Young Warriors centre back Ngwena was left for dead by Matos and with the keeper off his line the ball rolled past into the empty net.
Zimbabwe’s meaningful chance came again a minute before the breather, when Mahachi’s dangerous cross from the left flank had to be tipped over the bar by the goalkeeper and the resultant free kick by Edmore Tsoro was headed wide by Elvis Moyo.
The hosts regrouped and after the restart, led by captain William Kalongonda, had some neat build-ups from the back with the wingback Elvis Moyo also venturing upfront. The right flank was revived by the coming in of Knowledge Musona’s younger brother for Edmore Tsoro but a goal remained elusive.
Luck was also not on Zimbabwe’s side as Mahachi’s shot in the 76th minute hit the upright as the Young Warriors desperately tried to salvage something and midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku also watched in agony as the Angolan goalkeeper flexed his muscles to save his effort.
Five minutes before time, in another late raid by Zimbabwe, Mahachi’s fine delivery saw Knox Mutizwa failing to connect with a few chances as the team sought an equaliser. But Angola hung on for dear life and two minutes from time could have increased their lead when Lirio Francisco was denied by the bar after a good run in the box unmarked.
Angolan coach Andre Nzunzi chose to downplay his team’s victory and said it would be tough for his charges in the reverse tie at home.
Zimbabwe coach Jairos Tapera said he was disappointed with the defeat but it is still game on when they travel to Luanda.
“It’s a painful defeat, very painful. We had our chances and they got one and scored. We lost to one player their number 14 (Domingos). I am hopeful, they were closing in and I am sure at home they will open up and we will attack. We wanted to use the wings and attack but these youngsters when given instructions fail to follow them. But we have realised some mistakes we made and we will work on them.” said Tapera.
Teams
Zimbabwe: T. Mateyaunga, W. Kalongonda, E. Moyo, K. Moyo, T. Ngwena, N. Masuku, T. Dzumbunu(F. Madora 72nd minute), K. Mahachi, E. Tsoro(W. Musona 52nd minute), M. Chiwara(R. Muduwirwa 72nd minute), K. Mutizwa.
Angola: A. Cruz, J. Afonso, E. Panzo, P. Mingas, A. Nzayinawo, M. Matos, M. Afonso(J. Fernando 80th minute), C. Nsumbu(O. Kitenga 87th minute), M. Domingos, L. Francisco, B. Caetano.
Online Reporter