Warriors beat Mambas as Gorowa slams Bulawayo
By Sikhumbuzo Moyo in BULAWAYO
Zimbabwe 2 – 1 Mozambique
Zimbabwe Warriors coach Ian “Dibango” Gorowa felt the Bulawayo fans let him down by not coming out in numbers to rally behind his team in their international friendly against Mozambique at Barbourfields yesterday.
Gorowa, who remains unbeaten since taking over as national coach, guided his team to another victory despite questions over their preparations leading into this match with the coach only training the team on the eve of the match.
“I don’t think we got enough support from the people of Bulawayo, I would have expected a little bit more in terms of numbers,” said Gorowa.
“I sacrificed for the national team to move base to Bulawayo and one would have expected abantu bakoBulawayo to flood the stadium but being a first game perhaps they could be forgiven.”
There were about 5 000 spectators yesterday, a good attendance according to Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela.
“It’s not a full house but I think it’s a fair crowd though,” said Gwesela.
Such a low-profile friendly game, featuring only locally-based players and two teams that failed to win even a single match in their 2014 World Cup qualifiers, would have attracted a far smaller crowd had it been played in Harare.
Dynamos striker Simba Sithole propelled Zimbabwe into the lead in the ninth minute when he beat the visitors’ goalkeeper Logomale Ferroz with a shot from the edge of the box.
From then onwards Zimbabwe enjoyed total control of the match but could not add to their goal tally as the Mozambicans continued on the defensive with their anchorman Lourenco Manhique outstanding.
The home side was presented with another opportunity to increase their tally on the quarter of an hour mark but Frankson Bushure skied his effort from outside the box.
It was his only meaningful contribution in the match as the Shabanie Mine forward struggled with his game until his eventual substitution for Ali Sadiki in the 73rd minute.
Despite being a goal down, the Mozambicans kept their cool but their only real chance came three minutes before full-time when Eugenio Mafumo found himself face-to-face with Zimbabwe’s goalkeeper George Chigova but his attempt towards goals could not beat the imposing ‘keeper.
The Mozambicans were awarded a penalty three minutes from the breather and up stepped Mafumo to send Chigova the wrong way. It was a goal that saw them upping their game and dominating the show.
“I think we were better in the second half, we played well and I am happy with the performance of the boys,” said Mozambique coach Joao Chissano.
Gorowa pulled out Bantu Rovers’ Nqobizithat Masuku for Partson Jaure in the 75th minute and a minute later Wonder Kapinda, who was playing as a right back, was replaced by Hardlife Zvirekwi.
In a five minute substitution spell, Silas Songani was taken out for Bruce Kangwa. Ali Sadiki scored the winner after he intelligently chipped the ball over an advancing Ferroz in the 79th minute.
Gorowa said he was using the match to assess some players ahead of the African Nations Championship.
“It was a good game, we were trying to assess other players that we have not previously seen and I think they played well. Mozambique gave us a good game,” said Gorowa.
He had special praise for young Masuku.
“It was his first national team game and I think he did very well, I am proud of his performance,” he said.
Zimbabwe:
G. Chigova, W. Kapinda (H. Zvireki 76th minute), M. Ncube, T. Ndlovu, F. Chindungwe, D. Phiri, N. Masuku (P. Jaure 75th minute), S. Sithole (S. Sithole 85th minute), S. Songani (B. Kangwa 80th minute), K. Mahachi (P. Manhanga 88th minute), F. Bushure,
Mozambique:
L. Ferroz, A. Pilale, F. Muchanga, B. Bernado (I. Mandava 94th minute), F. Mioche, E. Mafumo (S. Sinamundo 84th minute), L. Manhique (A. Alufane 93rd minute), A. Guambe, Z. Vetimane (T. Decarvalho 89th minute), B. Antonio(B. Caetano 72nd minute), S. Soares. The Chronicle
