The makeshift Warriors team, which lost the opening match to the hosts 1-0 on Monday night, displayed an amazing fighting spirit with goals from Ronald Chitiyo, Ronald Chinyengetere, Charles Sibanda and double-scorer Nelson Mazivisa.
The game started at a cracking pace as play swung from one end to the other with both teams determined to find an early goal.
Zimbabwe dominated the exchanges but it was Lesotho who took the lead in the 10th minute when Chinyengetere needlessly lost possession in the Zimbabwe half.

The Warriors then pushed more men upfront trying to get the equaliser.
Francisco Zvekumbawire could have levelled terms in the 20th minute but the Hwange forward failed to tap into the empty nets after a good work by Kumbulani Banda at the left flank.

After a period of intense pressure, the Warriors eventually got the equaliser when Chitiyo’s powerful drive was deflected into the nets by a Lesotho defender.
Zimbabwe could have increased their lead in the 25th minute and again Zvekumbawire was the culprit when he failed to finish off a move started by FC Platinum leftback Banda.

Lesotho were awarded a penalty a minute later when Banda brought down their captain in the box and up stepped their inspirational player, Thabiso Moile, who made no mistake from the spot.
Zimbabwe were one-man down when midfielder Brian Mapfumo was expelled after getting his second caution for dissent. Mapfumo had just got into the referee’s book

for a crude tackle on a Lesotho player and was penalised for protesting the first yellow card.
Warriors coach, Rahman Gumbo, was incensed by the decision and ordered his players to leave the pitch with Lesotho leading 2-1.
The game was temporarily stopped and after about six minutes but the Warriors were back on the pitch following the intervention of the team’s head of delegation, Benedict Moyo.

Zimbabwe then levelled matters in the the 40th minute following a goalmouth melee.
Mavivisa put Zimbabwe in the driver’s seat, four minutes later, when he fired home a close range shot to ensure the Warriors got to the breather on top.
Soon after the restart Chinyengetere added his name to the scoresheet with a wonder goal following good work by Botswana-based Mandla Sibanda.

But Lesotho reduced the arrears in the 62nd minute through Moleko Kaipetho who beat substitute goalkeeper Marlon Jani. Charles Sibanda then killed off the game as a contest in the 73rd minute when he tapped in a cross from the left.

 

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