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THE Zimbabwe Under-20 national soccer side have been knocked out of the Metropolitan Cosafa Youth Championships after putting up a pathetic show against Angola at Molepolole Stadium in Gaborone yesterday afternoon.
The Taurai Mangwiro-coached youngsters fell 3-2 even though they had taken a 16th minute lead through the boot of Trevor Mutero who ghosted between the Angolan defence after getting a pass from Ronald Chitiyo and then lobbed the ball over advancing goalkeeper Franisco Nelson.
The lead was shortlived though as the Angolans were back on level terms four minutes after the Zimbabwean goal although by then the Young Warriors seemed firmly in charge of proceedings, enjoying territorial advantage.
However a lapse in concentration resulted in the equaliser which was almost identical to their own goal. The defence hesitated to close down Nicolu Adriano allowing him to pass over their lines. And with Afonso Eddie more alert, he beat the offside trap and managed to go past Tonderai Mateyaunga in goals for the Young Warriors.
Angola took the lead two minutes before halftime when Adriano beat the lethargic Zimbabwe defence to make it 2-1 for Angola. The goal exposed the weaknesses for Zimbabwe in midfield where no one was keeping possession.
The match went into the breather with Zimbabwe 1-2 down.
When the second half resumed, the technical team of Mangwiro and Mandla Mpofu, brought in Roy Mwenga for Talenta Chawapihwa in an effort to get an early equaliser, especially with elimination at the back of the Zimbabweans.
A few minutes after the resumption of play, the hard running Domingos Mateus was floored resulting in an Angolan free kick being awarded by South African referee Mfiki Lwandile and up stepped Nsiandamba Vidal but his set piece was well defended.
The Zimbabwean defence was again caught napping in the 51st minute when they failed to contain the pace and power of Adriano who found Almeida Valdemar to score easily. The
Angolans, who were now charging like wounded bulls, were back in the Zimbabwean final third and had it not been for the alertness of captain Edwin Nkomo who cleared the ball from the line after goalkeeper Mateyaunga had left his line only to be beaten by speed merchant Adriano, they could have scored yet another easy goal.
Sensing imminent defeat, Zimbabwe made another substitution, pulling out Charles Mukanhaira for Munyaradzi Chiwara.
Restlessness started creeping into the Zimbabwe camp resulting in Willard Kalongonda conceding a free kick and being yellow carded in the process but the Angolans were caught offside from the delivery.
Possibly in a move that was meant to fortify their lead, Angola pulled out the dangerous Nicolu Adriano for Gria Samuel, a move that almost cost them dearly as Zimbabwe took full charge of the game.
A shot from Nqobizitha Masuku in the 74th minute forced a wonder save from Nelson and sensing that they had their opponents cornered, Zimbabwe pulled out goal scorer Mutero for Munyaradzi Muchenje.
The youngsters continued to pile on the pressure and they were rewarded in the 79th minute through Bantu Rovers striker Marvelous Nakamba after some rather good movement started by Chitiyo who whizzed his way past three defenders, passed the ball to Mwenya whose return pass was met with power by Nakamba to bring the match into an interesting finale.
It was now Zimbabwe attacking while Angola were defending with some dirty tactics being applied in the process resulting in Lirio being yellow carded for time wasting.
When the referee blew for full time after four minutes of optional time, the Angolans were clearly the happier lot and all they need now is a draw against Namibia. Zimbabwe have been knocked out and their last match against Madagascar today is therefore a dead rubber affair.
Teams:
ZIMBABWE — T Mateyaunga , E Nkomo (Capt), W Kalongonda, K Mahachi, N Masuku, P Zirei, C Mukanhaira, R Chitiyo, M Nakamba, T Mutero (M Muchenje 74th min), T Chawapihwa (R Mwenga 46th min).
Angola — F Nelson (GK) F Lirio, P Cristovao, N Vidal, A Eddie (M Oliveira 81stmin), Pl Joel, P Elidio (Capt) N Adriano ( G Samuel 65th min) , D Mateus (Franscisco 87th min ), M Ruteiro, A Valdemar.
Ref: Mfiki Lwandile (South Africa).
Ass Refs: Shaanika David (Namibia), Sifiso Zondo (Swaziland).
Fourth official: Kanoso Abdul (Madagascar.
Online Reporter