Zimpapers Logo

Noel Munzabwa in LOBAMBA, Swaziland

Swaziland Under-23 . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2

Zimbabwe Under-23 . . . . . . . . . (0) 2

(Zimbabwe Under-23 win on away goals rule)

BRAVE Young Warriors twice fought back to knock pre-match favourites Swaziland Under-23 out of the CAF African Youth Championships in a lukewarm match at Somhlolo here yesterday.

The Callisto Pasuwa-coached outfit will now meet much-fancied South Africa in the third round later this month.

And take nothing away from the four-time championship winning and history making coach, who despite failing to pick up his first foreign land win with the Young Warriors, managed to help his squad to squeeze through to the next round.

“I can’t begrudge these boys for the great fight. We knew it was not going to be easy considering our preparations.

“Something we knew though was the game was going to open up and we hoped to capitalise on that and catch them on the break.

“We made our mistakes and conceded twice and they made their mistakes and we maximised on them,” Pasuwa said after the match.

Though not a quality show as testified by Swaziland’s senior team’s coach Harries Madze, who watched this match, it was the Young Warriors who came back from behind twice to level the scores who showed a lot of character.

The biggest howler came deep at the dearth of the match soon after the fourth official had indicated three optional minutes when Mlamuli Nkambule found himself face-to-face with Tatenda Mukuruva but shot at the flying birds.

Mxolisi Mkhontfo had thrust Swaziland through a 41st minute penalty before half-time substitute Philana Kadewere levelled for the Young Warriors in the 58th minute.

The Zimbabwe celebrations were to last two minutes as Muzi Tsabedze restored the Swazis lead from an almost Kadewere replica.

Just when the home team began to dilly-dally with the ball, their error prone six-man defence conceded a penalty which Ronald Pfumbidzai converted in the 81st minute for the all important goal that saw the Young Warriors going through on away goals rule.

The Young Warriors welcomed Tatenda Mukuruva, Blessing Moyo Marshall Mudehwe and Ronald Pfumbidzai who missed the first leg while the duo of Mgcini Sibanda and Prichard Mpelele, who started on the bench in Harare, were thrown into the starting line-up.

On the other hand, Swaziland’s Caleb Ngwenya welcomed their danger man Mthunzi Mkhontfo and Muzi Tsabedze with five others Phumlani Ngobese, Sibusiso Dlamini, Ndumiso Ndaba, Ayanda Kunene and Ncamiso Gina promoted into the starting line-up.

But it was the Young Warriors who got off to an offensive start with captain Wisdom Mutasa’s first minute pile-driver was well collected by goalkeeper Phumlani Ngobese.

Barely had two minutes passed did Mgcini Sibanda send his into Ngobese’s safe hands.

Sensing danger Caleb Ngwenya summoned more men in defence mounting a six men defence each time Zimbabwe advanced into the box.

This allowed Swaziland some breathing space pumping some long balls forward and this seemed to pay off as it was through one such raid that Blessing Moyo handled inside the box.

And up-stepped Mxolisi to blast past Young Warriors goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva in the 41st minute.

Seeing Swaziland gaining an upper-hand, Young Warriors coach Pasuwa pulled out Mpelele for Kadewere straight after the break and this move paid off.

In one of his ventures forward, Kadewere found himself lurking in the box obliging to a Mutasa’s inch-perfect pass in the crowded box with a snap shot past stranded Ngobese in the 58th minute.

Swaziland who seemed to have stolen the match away from Zimbabwe responded immediately, mounting an almost similar raid with Mthunzi Mkhontfo locating Muzi Dlamini who drilled the ball past an exposed Mukuruva.

The goal seemed to have taken its toll on the Young Warriors who arrived for this match 24 hours before kick-off.

Swaziland then started to kick the ball around aimlessly, conceding too many throw-ins.

And little did they know that they were giving Zimbabwe a lifeline and in a rare moment, the Young Warriors advanced and forced a penalty off a Swazi defender handling with nine minutes to go on the clock.

Carrying the nation’s hopes Ronald Pfumbidzai’s effort from the spot beat Ngobese to ignite the “Yave Nyama yeku gocha” chorus from the Zimbabwe fans on the terraces.

In his post match interview Pasuwa praised his boys for putting up a good fight.

Pasuwa also thanked Zimbabwe community residents in Swaziland for their support.

Meanwhile, the Young Warriors are expected back home this afternoon as they are due to drive out of Swaziland this morning on a 400km journey to OR Tambo International Airport where they are expected to connect a flight to Harare.

Teams

Swaziland: Phumlani. Ngobese, Sibusiso. Dlamini, Ndumiso. Ndaba, Mndeni. Mamba, Ayanda. Kunene, Mlamuli. Nkambule, Ncamiso. Gina (Khethokuhle. Mkhontfo, 62 min), Saneliso. Dlamini, Mxolisi. Mkhontfo, Muzi. Tsabedze (Fanelo. Tsabedze, 62 min).

Zimbabwe: Tatenda. Mukuruva, Liberty. Chakoroma, Mgcini. Sibanda (Thomas. Chideu 70 mins), Teenage. Hadebe, John. Takwara (Malvin. Gaki 59 mins), Ronald. Pfumbidzai, Prichard. Mpelele (Philana. Kadewere, 46 min), Nqobizitha. Masuku, Marshall. Mudehwe, Wisdom. Mutasa, Blessing. Moyo.

Referees: Andofetra. Avombitana Rakotojaona, Randrianarivelo. Ravonirina Harizo, Lionel. Hasinjarasoa Andrianantenaina,Bruno, Andriamiharisoa (all from Madagascar)

Match Commissioner: Mayixole Shishana (South Africa).