ZIMBABWE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 CAMEROUN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
Zimbabwe’s African Women Cup of Nations campaign ended miserably after the Mighty Warriors were outclassed by Cameroon in their final Group A match at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjio in Yaounde, Cameroon, last night.
BY HENRY MHARA IN YAOUNDE, CAMEROON
France-based, Michelle Akaba netted a brace for the hosts, to ensure the Mighty Warriors catch an early flight back home, having managed just one point from their three matches.
They finished bottom of the group, while Cameroon finished as group winners.
South Africa, who join the hosts in the semifinals, beat Egypt in the other Group A match yesterday.
Needing an outright victory here to have any chance of progressing to the next stage, the Mighty Warriors found themselves down to an Akaba goal in the opening minute of the match.
The FC Lorient attacking midfielder outpaced the Zimbabwean defenders before slotting past goalkeeper, Chido Dzingirai.
- 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
Zimbabwe never looked like they were going to recover from the early setback, as the hosts controlled every aspect of the game.
Zimbabwe’s first chance arrived well after the 20th minute mark, but Rutendo Makore’s tired looking shot did not bother Cameroon goalie, Anette Ndom.
The gulf in quality and fitness between the two teams was quite obvious, as Cameroon, who had eight players who play in professional leagues in Europe in their starting lineup, dominated the game.
Akaba looked dangerous each time she had the ball and could have increased her side’s advantage in the 37th minute, but her powerful shot bounced off the crossbar, with the Zimbabwean keeper and defence left stranded.
The Shadreck Mlauzi-coached side was rocking, and Dzingirai almost handed the opponents a second goal when she fumbled a Deborah Enganamouit shot, but recovered to clear the ball off the line.
The Mighty Warriors, perhaps, buoyed by the news that South Africa was leading Egypt in Limbe, started the second half with more purpose and a quick interchange of passes opened up the Cameroon defence, but Felistas Muzongondi shot weekly at goal when put clean through.
Zimbabwe: C Dzingirai, N Majika, D Bhobho, S Makoto, N Ncube, E Chibanda, E Msipa, M Nyaumwe, F Muzongondi, K Bhasopo (R Mutyavaviri, 75′, R Makore
