Zambia . . . . . . . . 2 Zimbabwe . . . . . .0 TWO mistakes by goalkeeper Stalin Matinetsa cost his team Dairibord Zimbabwe a ticket to Europe, losing to Zambia in a final of the Standard Chartered 2015 Road to Anfield regional five-aside tournament played at Circolo Italiano de Lusaka Sports Club in Zambia on Saturday.
by HENRY MHARA IN LUSAKA, ZAMBIA
The tournament involved three teams Dairibord who were representing Zimbabwe and two other representatives from Botswana and the host nation.
Played in a round robin format Zimbabwe drew 1-1 with Zambia in their opening match before coming from behind to beat Botswana 2-1 to set up a final match against the host country who had also beaten Botswana.
Farai Sixpence scored two goals including in the first match while the impressive Terrence Kanjanda netted the winning goal against Botswana.
Having impressed in their two matches, Zimbabwe looked favourites to beat Zambia and go through to Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium in April where they would have a chance to meet with the club’s former and current players.
The visitors started brightly as expected and fashioned good chances early on but could not just get the ball into the back of the net.
However, as the match wore on, there was a feeling that Zimbabwe would be punished for their impotence in front of goal.
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And Zambia did punish them, but in fortunate circumstances – gifted their two goals by the Zimbabwe goalkeeper.
The decisive moment came with three minutes to go when Matinetsa’s tame attempt from a back pass was intercepted by a Zambian striker who capitalized well.
When Matinetsa tried to redeem himself in the final minute of the game by venturing forward as Zimbabwe looked for an equaliser to force the match in to a penalty shootout, his team was caught in possession and Zambia hammered in a killer blow with a breakaway goal.
It was a sad and cruel ending to Zimbabwe team’s campaign who had a strong crowd cheering them including Standard Chartered Bank Zimbabwe chief executive officer Ralph Watungwa and head of corporate affairs Lilian Hapanyengwi and more than 50 Dairibord staff who had travelled from Harare to back their team.
Zimbabwe coach Gibson Maponda reckoned his team might have lost a lifetime opportunity to travel to Europe.
“This might have been our only opportunity to travel to Europe but sadly we missed it. Overally we were the best team but luck was not on our side and we should also thank Standard Chartered for giving us such an opportunity. Unfortunately it has ended this way. The goalkeeper also made two mistakes but it would be harsh to put all the blame on him. The whole team should share the blame because they should have scored at least three goals before the mistakes.”
Dairibord Zimbabwe won the ticket to represent Zimbabwe at the finals after winning the national finals which involved 24 teams The team was expected to fly back home last night.
