Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
Zimbabwe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)1
DR Congo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2)2
THERE were positive vibes before, during and after this 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier showdown except that it all ended in a defeat at the National Sports Stadium last night.
Zimbabwe were undone by first half goals from Yoane Wissa and Samuel Moutoussamy although they did find their consolation deep in second half added time through Marshall Munetsi.
It was a night that the fans, who came in numbers, cheered on after getting to finally watch the Warriors in action after five years.
The last time that Zimbabwe played at home was in 2021 with limited fans available against Ethiopia.
Although the Warriors did play at the National Sports Stadium in 2020 and 2021 against Zambia, Ghana, South Africa and Ethiopia, Covid-19 protocol meant fans were restricted.
The last time the Warriors had played before a full house was in 2019 against last night opponents.
Yoane Wissa
For the past five years, the supporters couldn’t get to watch their national team at home as the National Sports Stadium had been banned from hosting international games because it didn’t meet CAF standards.
But after some massive upgrade including the installation on bucket seats, the arena was allowed to host international games.
And the homecoming was fittingly met with cheers from the supporters and the presence of President Mnangagwa.
However things didn’t quite go according to plan in the field of play after the Warriors largely played second fiddle to their guests.
This match was never going to be easy for Zimbabwe given what the DR Congo have achieved in recent years including their strong showing at the 2026 World Cup in North America.
But the Zimbabweans were always ready to give it their all to get a positive result that could correspond with the celebratory atmosphere.
Their fighting spirit led by captain Marvelous Nakamba was next level and in a way, the culpability of goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, not for the first time, sort of gifted the Congolese their first goal.
Chipezeze failed to effectively deal with a casual cross into the box, opting to grab the ball instead of punching it away and expectedly, the ball dropped off with Wissa literally rolling it into an empty net.
That should have dispirited the whole team and from that moment, just half-an-hour into the game, DRC took the game to Zimbabwe.
The Warriors looked disoriented and sometimes hopeless especially after Thando Ngwenya failed to score in a one versus one situation five minutes after Zimbabwe had conceded.
They were always on the back foot, fluffing their footing and failing to pick the second ball.
Munetsi and Bill Antonio came close to scoring but failed to hit the target.
With a 0-2 disadvantage at the break, the Warriors never lost hope and even their fans, not less after their heroic 3-2 comeback win over Sierra Leone in their first Group E game last Thursday in Morocco having gone to the break trailing by the same scoreline.
Coach Ramon Catala made some key changes bringing in Emmanuel Jalai and Sean Fusire at the resumption and the momentum shifted in the Warriors favour.
But even then, they were never at ease allowing the Congolese to enjoy more.
Michel Kuka Mboladinga, popularly known as “Lumumba Vea,” a legendary Democratic Republic of Congo supporter was outstanding in his yellow jacket.
More possession. More energy. And everything else.
“Obviously we are disappointed with the defeat,” said Catala.
“DRC have been together for the past five years and their quality is good.
“We have picked a lot of positives and we can build from there.”
Zimbabwe remained on three points after losing one and winning one ahead of the second international break in November.
Warriors
Elvis Chipezeze, Andy Rinomhota (Emmanuel Jalai 46min), Shane Maroodza (Divine Lunga 60min), Munashe Garananga, Kevin Moyo, Marvelous Nakamba, Marshal Munetsi, Tawanda Chirewa (Abubakar Moffat 83min), Tawanda Maswanhise (Sean Fusire 46min), Bill Antonio (Daniel Msendami 60min), Thando Ngwenya
