Warriors date the group leaders

BY GRACE CHIRUMANZU

THE Zimbabwe national soccer team will be set to make a comeback from a disappointing 2-all draw against Ghana, last Monday, as the Warriors date the group leaders, Democratic Republic of Congo, in a group B match of the inaugural African Nations Championship (CHAN), set for the Stade de la Paix, Bouaké, on Thursday (26 Feb 2009).

The Warriors shared points with the Black Stars of Ghana having opened a two goal lead in the 36th minute courtesy of Ovidy Karuru and Philip Marufu’s scores.
But once the Black Stars found their first threw midfielder Ibrahim Ayew, the first son of Ghana football legend Abedi Pele, hell broke a series of unfortunate events untangled the Warriors of Southern Africa.
Willard Manyatera who had been outstanding the whole of the hot afternoon, commendably clearing threatening crosses form the opponents’ strike force, forced Ayew’s shot into the nets in what seemed to had been a poor judgment of a not-so-tricky ball by the Dynamos goalkeeper.
He might have blamed himself for the second one but he will not shoulder the blame for the sharing spoils with the Black Stars. The Warriors strike force was not convincing upfront save for Philip Marufu who appeared to have been fighting a lone battle.
Pride Tafirenyika is an impressive attacking midfielder when he features for his side Shooting Stars, now Caps United, but he failed to deliver for the Warriors as he was being played out of position.
He was dropped to the position of central midfielder by head coach, Sunday Chidzambwa, and little if not none of his electric displays were seen for the Warriors’ advantage. Chidzambwa appeared to have concentrated on the defense more than on the strike force.
Despite inevitably watching the first ball of their opponents slipping past them, straight to the nets, defenders Thomas Sweswe and Captain Gilbert Banda did justice to keep it tight at the back.
Zimbabwe will be hoping to pull a win against DRC today as the Chidzambwa’s men seek three points to lead the group for a chance to progress to the next stage of the competition, designed only for players plying their trade in the local leagues.
Their opponents today beat Lybia 2-0 to collect all points consequently leading the group. But if the Warriors’ last performance is anything to come by, this time they won’t escape with a point and they will sadly end their assignment in the group stages just as at the 2004 and 2006 Africa Cup of Nations.
In another Group B match to be played on the same venue, today, Lybia take on Ghana, as both teams seek their first victory of the showpiece.

Group B Log Table
Team MP W D L GF GA GD Pts
RD Congo 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 3
Ghana 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
Zimbabwe 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
Libya 1 0 0 1 0 2 -2 0