Benin (0)1Zimbabwe (0)0
HARARE, Sept.5, 2025 (NewsDay Live)-Zimbabwe's winless run in the World Cup qualifiers continueed after they suffered a narrow loss to to Benin at Alassane Ouattara Ebimpé Olympic Stadium in Ivory Coast Friday evening.
Steve Mounie headed home a 77th minutes winner which kept Benin's qualification hopes alive with three matches remaining in Group C.
The loss not only extended Zimbabwe's winless streak in the qualifiers but also extinguished their faint hopes of reaching the 2026 tournament.
For a team that boasts an impressive array of talent on paper, the performance was a lackluster affair, raising further questions about head coach Michael Nees’s ability to unlock the team’s potential.
The result leaves the Warriors anchored at the bottom of Group C with a mere four points from seven matches, a grim tally of four draws and three defeats.
The match began in a depressingly slow, disjointed fashion, with both sides struggling to find their rhythm. However, a glimmer of hope appeared for Zimbabwe just ten minutes in when a brilliant free-kick from veteran Knowledge Musona found Munashe Garananga unmarked in the box.
Garananga's free header seemed destined for the back of the net, but Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou produced a stunning, point-blank save to deny the Warriors an early lead.
Despite that moment of quality, the early game was a scrappy affair, devoid of real attacking intent.
Nees opted for a central defensive pairing of Garananga and Teenage Hadebe, with Tino Kadewere leading the line, supported by Tawanda Chirewa and Jordan Zemura.Benin's attacking efforts were limited in the first half, though they did manage to test Warriors keeper Washington Arubi.
Arubi easily handled a long-range shot from Imourane Hassane in the 32nd minute.
Moments later, Benin's Junior Olaitan blazed a free-kick over the bar, but the hosts ended the half on a stronger note. It was Arubi who ultimately kept the score level at the break, making a courageous save to deny a powerful header from Mounié in first-half stoppage time.
The second half was a marginal improvement, but neither team showed the ambition needed to break the stalemate.
The game seemed headed for a draw until the 77th minute when Benin finally found their breakthrough.
A cross from Yohan Roche sailed into the box and found Mounié, who rose above a static Zimbabwe defense to head the ball past a helpless Arubi. The goal sparked jubilation for the home side and left the Warriors with a sinking feeling.
In a desperate search for an equaliser, Nees made a triple substitution in the 83rd minute, bringing on Tymon Machope, Bill Antonio, and Terrence Dzvukamanja.
But the changes had little impact. In fact, Benin came close to doubling their lead when a brilliant run by Jodel Dossou created a chance, but Arubi was there once again to make a crucial save.
Walter Musona was brought on for Kadewere in the dying minutes, and it was he who had Zimbabwe's final chance to salvage a point.
Picked out by a pass from Dzvukamanja on the edge of the box, Musona blazed his shot over the bar, a final moment of frustration in a match filled with disappointment.
The Warriors will now regroup and travel to Orlando Stadium in South Africa to face Rwanda on Tuesday.
After this latest setback, they'll need to show much more than heart and hope if they want to salvage any pride from this campaign.