adminthey capitulated to rivals Angola in dramatic fashion in a Group D tie at the Molepolole Sports Complex yesterday.
Needing a win in order to stay in the hunt for a semi-final place, the Young Warriors appeared on the right track when England-based forward Trevor Mutero put them ahead after 16 minutes.
Mutero got to the end of a of a clever pass from Ronald Chitiyo in the middle, sneaked his way past the Angolan centre backs before chipping the ball past goalkeeper Fransisco Nelson.
But Zimbabwe’s lead lasted just four minutes before the Young Warriors allowed the Angolans to level terms. As they have often done in this competition, the Young Warriors were caught on the break after losing possession on the edge of the Angolan box.
And a swift counter raid, involving three players, resulted in midfielder Afonso Eddie finding the target in similar fashion to the Zimbabwe goal, the mop-haired forward chipping the ball over Tonderai Mateyaunga.
The Angolans then cemented their place at the top of Group D when they found further goals through Nicolou Adriano in the 43rd minute and Almeida Valdermar after 50 minutes while Marvelous Nakamba’s 77th minute strike for the Young Warriors ensured a frenetic finish to the game.
Despite the Young Warriors trying hard in the last 15 minutes to rescue the game, the Angolans held on to their lead to remain the only team in the group with a 100 percent record.
In fact Angola were by late last night hoping that the other Group D match between Namibia and Madagascar ended in a draw or a win for the pointless Indian Ocean islanders in order for them to be confirmed semi-finalists and set up a last four date with Malawi.
Yet it was the Young Warriors, under pressure to secure their first in this campaign, who threatened early on but fluffed the chances that came their way.
Talent Chawapihwa, given his first start in this competition, had Zimbabwe’s first real chance in the fifth minute after former Reading Juniors forward Mutero teed him up on the edge of the box but the midfielder shot weakly at the Angolan goalkeeper.
It was not until the 13th minute that Angola asked questions of Zimbabwe’s defence of skipper Edwin Nkomo, Proud Zireni, Kuda Mahachi and Willard Kalongonda.
Coach Taurai Mangwiro congested his midfield in a bid to stifle the Angolans but that department remained his team’s Achilles Heel in this tournament with only Monomotapa’s Ronald Chitiyo offering some light in an ocean of confusion.
That Chitiyo was also the architect of Zimbabwe’s second goal when he went on a mazy run before finding Nakamba, highlighted his industry which was sadly not complemented by his colleagues in that department – Charles Mukanhairi, Nqobizitha Masuku, and Talent Chawapihwa.
Zimbabwe will now wind off their Group D campaign with a date against Madagascar tonight, which Mangwiro said they still needed to win “for the sake of our national pride”.
Mangwiro, however, acknowledged that the Young Warriors were once again their own worst enemies in yesterday’s encounter.
Despite being fully aware of the tough mission before them in which they knew that it was win or bust, the Young Warriors just could not hold on to their early lead and neither could they quickly respond once the Angolans beat the half-time whistle to steal the lead and seize the initiative. Momentary lapses cost us the game.
“If one looks at the way we finished the match, we could have still managed to rescue the game. But at the end of the day I am the coach and I will take the flak for failing the nation. The guys knew very well that we had to win to stay in there but we didn’t hold on to our lead and it barely lasted five minutes and then just before the break we allowed them a soft goal and another soft goal in the second half really left us with a mountain to climb,
“But that is football. If you do not use your chances you get punished and we can only wish Angola well in their next encounter.
“We will fight to do well for our pride in our last match against Madagascar” Mangiwro said.
Teams:
Zimbabwe:
Tonderai Mateyaunga, Willard Kalongonda, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Edwin Nkomo, Proud Zireni, Charles Mukanhairi (Munyaradzi Chiwara 53rd minute), Ronald Chitiyo, Marvelous Nakamba, Trevor Mutero (Munyaradzi Muchenje 75th minute), Nqobizitha Masuku, Talent Chawapihwa (Roy Mwenga 46th minute).
Angola:
Fransisco Nelson, Fransisco Lirio, Paciencia Cristovao, Nsiandamba Vidal, Panzo Elidio, Afonso Eddie (Mano 78th minute, Nicolu Adriano (Gria Samuel 66th minute), Domingo Mateus(Dos Santos 89th minute), Macuma Ruterio, Almeida Valdemar, Pascoal Joe.
Online Reporter