ZIMBABWE .. . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2 GHANA . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .(1) 2
BY HENRY MHARA
(Ghana qualify on a 4-3 aggregate) ZIMBABWE’S Mighty Warriors were left to rue two defensive mistakes as they missed on a ticket to the All-Africa Games finals following a draw against Ghana at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
Chasing a 2-1 scoreline from the first leg in Accra three weeks ago, the home side found themselves with a mountain to climb as early as the 19th minute when defender Nobuhle Majika gifted the visitors an early breakthrough.
The rightback made a hush of a pass from her goalkeeper Chido Dzingirai, her tame clearance landing invitingly for Ghana striker Portia Boakaye who capitalized from outside the box.
After Samkeliso Zulu had restored parity in the 40th minute, Dzingirai scored an own goal when an Elizabeth Ado’s shot rebounded off the post and on its way back to play hit the goalkeeper and rolled into the nets.
First half substitute Rudo Neshamba responded immediately with a goal from long range, but with Ghana having scored two away goals, Zimbabwe needed two more goals in the last quarter of an hour, which never materialised. Coach Rosemary Mugadza bemoaned the two mistakes and lack of international friendly matches as the cause for the team’s defeat while her opposite Yussif Bassigi was naturally happy that her team progressed to the September Games to be hosted by Congo Brazzaville.
Needing nothing short of a victory to qualify, Zimbabwe flew out of the blocks, but they had nothing to show for their early dominance.
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The superior quality of Ghana’s collection of stars was there for all to see as they easily neutralised the host threats as the game wore on and soon took the lead, but in fortunate circumstances. A harmless looking pass from Dzingirai was made a mess by Majika and Boakaye capitalised with a lobbying shot over the badly positioned goalkeeper to give the visitors the much needed away goal.
However, the goal looked to galvanise the home side who looked to regain control of the match and they were rewarded for their endeavor when Zulu’s long diagonal shot which initially looked like a cross before keeper Fafali Dumahisi misjudged it and sneaked in for the equalizer as the two teams went to the break deadlocked. The home side returned a determined bunch after the interval, but Dzingirai’s mistake would soon peg them back. While the response from Neshamba was immediate, but it was always going to be an uphill task for the home side to score two more against Africa’s second best ranked team, as they would soon found out.
The Mighty Warriors, backed by a commendable crowd pushed for the needed goals in the final 15 minutes, but the Black Queens held on for the draw and qualification to the continental showpiece.
Teams ZIMBABWE: C Dzingirai, S Makoto, N Majika, E Msipa, F Muzongondi, P Mujuru, T Tsunguro (R Neshamba, 35′), S Zulu (M Chirandu, 65’), T Mandaza, M Nyaumwe, E Jeke GHANA: F Dumahisi, C Adobia, E Atovor, L Eshun (A Aduoko, 91’), J Egyir, J Acheampong, J Ayieyam (H Kobblah, 73’), M Myles, S Suleman, E Addo, P Boakaye.
