Monomotapa Complete Tour of Malaysia
Hope Chizuzu
15 July 2009
Kuala Lumpur — ZIMBABWE soccer kings Monomotapa completed their maiden tour of Malaysia yesterday during which they lost in the two matches they played against the hosts’ national team.
Monoz got their visit to Malaysia off to a disastrous start when they were thumped 4-0 by the hosts on Sunday night before limiting the damage in the second game to go down 1-0 at the Shah Alam Stadium on the outskirts of the capital.
After losing the first match at the KLFA Stadium on Sunday, Monoz found it difficult to get a breakthrough against the South East Asian nation, ranked 157 on the Fifa World rankings.
Yesterday’s match was played before a near empty stadium at the 70 000 seater facility with the visitors struggling to adjust to the punishing humidity to finish their tour without scoring a goal while conceding five.
But coach Rodwell Dhlakama, while registering his disappointment with the defeats, said he had been encouraged that his side had received enough if not necessary competitive matches ahead of their opening African Champions League Group B clash against former champions Etoile du Sahel at Rufaro on Sunday.
“It was a very good opportunity for the team and would like to thank those that arranged the friendlies as it gave us a hint of what to expect when we resume our fight for the honours in the Champions League.
However, Monoz who are expected back in the country on Friday afternoon could be affected by the long trip from this Asian country famed more for its historical Twin Towers in central Kuala Lumpur the tallest in the world at 425 metres than its football prowess.
The 11-hour trip back home will take the side from Kuala Lumpur to Mumbai (India) before connecting to Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) for the final haul to Harare.
Dhlakama is, however, not really losing sleep over that. “This is part of the game. It involves travelling and at times it is not always the way you want but you still have to be ready to play,” Dhlakama said.
With Etoile du Sahel camped in neighbouring South Africa and arriving just two hours ahead of the hosts on Friday afternoon, the stage is set for a gruelling match as both sides are taking no prisoners in this mini-league tie.
While Monoz be facing Etoile du Sahel in Harare, another Group B match will be on in the Democratic Republic of Congo where perennial campaigners TP Mazembe host Nigerian outfit Heartland.
Heartland are Monoz second opponents in Group with their first clash set for Owerri on August 1. Source: The Herald
