Zimbabwe . . . . . .(1) 1 Burundi . . . . . . . . . . 0
Ten-man Zimbabwe Warriors finally struck the right chord to get their 2013 Afcon qualifying campaign back on track courtesy of a Knowledge Musona first-half strike against Burundi at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
Having endured a three-game winless streak, under-fire coach Rahman Gumbo was a relieved man yesterday as he watched his Warriors overturn the 2-1 deficit they suffered in the first leg in Bujumbura back in February.
Zimbabwe will now be paired with a team that was at this years Afcon co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea in the final round of qualifiers whose first leg would be played in September.
Gumbos return to the Warriors fold was a woeful spell which started with that defeat in Bujumbura, followed by World Cup qualifiers in which they fell 1-0 at home to Guinea a fortnight ago, before a 0-0 draw against Mozambique in Maputo last weekend.
But yesterday, the Warriors completed an intensive three-week game schedule in a poorly-attended match, the apathy attributed to their terrible run.
Musona made the difference when he connected a Khama Billiat cross from the right in the 36th minute to bury the ghost of Bujumbura in a match where the home side overcame their numerical disadvantage after Willard Katsande was given a red card by whistle-happy Gabonese referee Erick Otogo after 29 minutes of play.
Otogo nearly spoiled the party with numerous controversial calls, but Katsandes expulsion was a glaringly impulsive decision after the Kaizer Chiefs midfielder had head-butted Les Hirondelles defender Faty Papy who strangely escaped unbooked after having elbowed Katsande in provocation.
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Gumbo described the officiating as pathetic. The way the referee handled the match was pathetic, horrible. You always expect such things in African football, but mostly in North Africa. But the boys did well to cover up for Willards absence, said Gumbo.
In his first touchline appearance for Burundi, Egyptian-born coach Naseem Lofty had a forgettable afternoon as his opposite number Gumbo felt the visitors reshuffling of their technical department disturbed the rhythm on the team that beat the Warriors in February.
We came with a game plan and that was to take the game to them (Burundi) and we just did that. They also came here prepared to give us a good run, but that did not work quite well for them, Gumbo said.
My players got into this match under a lot of pressure, but look at what happened, they took the pressure away and ended up on the winning side. I think Burundi lost it by changing coaches which disturbed their strategy. But generally I am happy at last we won.
Burundis dressing room resembled a funeral wake after the match with their assistant coach Amars Niyongaba admitting they lost to a good side.
Zimbabwe were the better side. They managed to beat us with one man short, so it shows they were really up to the task. This loss does not mean it is now the end of football in Burundi. We just have to wait for another chance to qualify for the Nations Cup, said Niyongaba.
Musonas striking partner Rodwell Chinyengetere got close to giving Zimbabwe the lead 14 minutes into play when he arrived a shade late to meet a cross by Billiat.
Billiat was to watch his freekick fizzle just wide of the target in the 33rd minute when Onismor Bhasera had been fouled by a Burundi defender before Musonas super finish.
Right on the stroke of half-time, Vusa Nyoni nearly doubled the Warriors lead when he forced a save from Burundi goalkeeper Janvier Ndikumana who again blocked the rebound pounced on by struggling Oscar Machapa.
The introduction of the scorer of Burundis opening goal in the first leg Laudy Mavugo in the 58th minute appeared to have added a spring into the step of the visitors who exhibited some purposeful play.
Mavugo gave Zimbabwe a scare with a well-taken shot which Tapiwa Kapini tipped over the bar in, arguably, the afternoons heroic save in the 78th minute.
As Burundi continued to search for an equaliser which was to ensure progression to the next round, Mavugo was to give the hosts another frightening moment two minutes from time when he failed control a cross from his captain Saidi Ndikumana.
Four minutes of added time had Zimbabwe holding their breath and, thank God, they held on for a famous win.
Teams Zimbabwe: T Kapini (captain), O Machapa, E Nyandoro, C Nyadombo, O Bhasera, T Nengomasha, K Billiat (T Chinyama 66th min), V Nyoni, W Katsande, R Chinyengetere (D Mukamba 68th min), K Musona (C Kawinga 88th min) Burundi: J Ndikumana, S Ndikumana (captain), G Kaze, H Mbanza, K Niligiyamana, H Hakilimana, P Kwitera, F. Papy (L Mavugo 58th min), C Amissi, F Ndayisaba, Y. Ndikumana
