COSAFA: Warriors beat Mauritius

Zimbabwe 3 ========Mauritius 0

Zimbabwe’s warriors got off to a perfect start in the 12th edition of the Cosafa Senior Soccer Challenge at Rufaro Stadium on Saturday.

Coach Sunday Chidzambwa, a Dynamos technical director, fielded Tafadzwa Rusike, Nyasha Mushekwi, Gilbert Mapemba and Method Mwanjali  from Dynamos ‘s bitter rivals CAPS United following criticism that he had called too many Dynamos players into camp.

Two goals from Cuthbert Malajila and another from captain Method Mwanjali ensured that the Warriors got the excitement and started the tournament on a high note. This was good for Zimbabwe as the general belief all over the world is that if the hosts are eliminated early the tournament loses its glamour  because few people would still have that extra interest in the competition.

The Mauritians with no Cosafa title to their credit since the tournament came into the fore in 1997, had started off brightly restricting the Warriors to a goalless first half.

But when they thought they had the game in their hands the Warriors hit them on the break. Thanks to Malajila who was well supported by the multitudes of Dynamos fans as he scored a spectacular opener in the 47th minute and added another in the 56th minute before captain Mwanjali wrapped up the game in the 85th minute.

The Warriors were however s wasteful lot and could have scored an avalanche of goals. Evans Gwekwerere who came for injured Nyasha Mushekwi in the 13th minute failed to stamp his authority despite receiving a warm welcome from the crowd, when he was introduced.

The former Moroka Swallows was anonymous yesterday no wonder Chidzambwa started him on the bench. He took turns to miss the target together with Malajila in the first stanza of the match.

The Warriors now only need a win in their remaining game against Lesotho on Monday to ensure qualification to the quarter finals of the 13 country tournament.

The contest has been reduced to 13 countries after Tanzania turned down an invitation to replace Madagascar who were pushed out of the competition for political reasons.

Meanwhile Vice President Joice Mujuru – the expected guest of honour was in no show at Rufaro as the Zimbabwe Warriors started their campaigning in the Cosafa Challenge. The organisers did explain why Mujuru did not show up. Source: Radio VOP