RWANDA – Zimbabwe’s team at the African Nations championship must by now be lamenting their profligacy in front of goal as they prepare to head home, having lost their second successive match in Group D.
The Zimbabwean Warriors, semi-finalists in 2014, bowed to Mali 0-1 in Rubavu, Rwanda and booked an early exit from the championship. Their last game against Uganda would be meaningless, win or lose.
The goal was scored in the 82nd minute by Moussa Sissoko, who was later declared the Orange Man of the Match. He connected home from a Lassana Samake free-kick eight minutes from time to ensure the maximum points for ‘Les Aigles’.
It was a game The Warriors, should not have lost as they were clearly the better side.
The victory served a sweet revenge for the Malians who suffered a 2-1 loss against the Zimbabweans at the quarters two years ago.
Mali started well but it was Zimbabwe who came into the fore minutes later, dominating till the end. The Southern Africans were unlucky to have ended the first half without a goal as they clearly had the better share of possession and coming close a couple of times.
Striker Rodreck Mutuma’s header bounced off the post from a Hardlife Zvirekwi cross on 27 minutes whilst Ronald Chitiyo shot into the waiting hands of Malian goalie Djigui Diarra after Edmore Chirambadare had done all the work and squared to him.
The second half was no different and Tatenda Mudehwe saw his goal bound shot after Mutuma back-heeled to him missing target narrowly few minutes after recess.
Zambia meanwhile has qualified for the quarter finals after beating Uganda 1-0. CAF Online