GABON 0-2 ZIMBABWE DONALD Ngoma and Milton Ncube gave the Warriors the perfect tonic for the African Nations Championships (Chan) finals onslaught with two goals on either side as Zimbabwe beat Gabon at the Rand Stadium in Johannesburg yesterday.
BY SPORTS EDITOR
FC Platinum striker Ngoma headed home on the stroke of halftime before Ncube added the second five minutes from the end.
Coach Ian Gorowa started off with George Chigova in goal, while Partson Jaure, Eric Chipeta, Hardlife Zvirekwi and Ncube occupied the back four.
Danny Phiri anchored, Pascal Manhanga, Kuda Mahachi and Ali Sadiki formed the midfield triangle with Ngoma and Simba Sithole of Dynamos upfront.
Speaking from Johannesburg last night, team manager Sharif Mussa said he was impressed with the performance of the team.
“It was a good game. We could have had more goals. In light of the preparations we had, the combinations that we were trying out, I am sure we achieved some of goals in the match.
“Mentally, the boys are fine and I am sure they will leave an impression in the finals. We will play Ajax Cape Town on Thursday (tomorrow),” Mussa said. The match against Ajax Cape Town takes place at Ikamva at 1830hrs as they wind up their preparations.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Gorowa is a former assistant coach at Ajax, who played FC Zwolle last night at the Coetzenburg Stadium as part of their preparations for the second half of the Absa Premiership.
The Warriors begin their campaign on Sunday against Morocco at the Athlone Stadium before taking on Uganda on January 16.
The last group match will be against Burkina Faso on January 20.
Meanwhile, Uganda skipper Dennis Iguma has said they are going all out for the 2014 Chan to prove their critics wrong.
The SC Victoria University defender/midfielder, who recovered in time to join the team last month, told MTNFootball.com that although some people think the team is not good enough, he thinks they are determined as a group and know what to expect.
“I believe the squad is good enough to compete and even go up to quarter- or semi-finals if we believe in ourselves,” the skipper said.
He added that the coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic has worked hard to get the spirit in the camp high.
“The bond, love, togetherness and the philosophy of winning is in the team,” he said.
“Football is dynamic and once we work together as a team we shall win games and surprise many.”
Warriors vs Gabon
George Chigova, Partson Jaure, Eric Chipeta, Hardlife Zvirekwi, Milton Ncube, Danny Phiri, Kuda Mahachi, Pascal Manhanga, Ali Sadiki, Donald Ngoma, Simba Sithole (Dynamos)
