His team place slumps head in Cameroon
ZIMBABWE’S home-based Warriors ended more than a year of inactivity, but still paid for their rust when they lost concentration in the final third of the game and slumped to hosts Cameroon in the 2021 African Nations Championships (CHAN) opening match at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde last night.
Salomon Banga Bindjeme struck an acrobatic winner in the 72nd minute that decided the encounter.
Yet the Warriors for whom goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda had a busy night pulling a number of saves, had seemed on course to at least hold out for a share of the points in this Group A clash.
The Indomitable Lions, playing in front of a buoyant — of reduced — crowd at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, struggled to break down their rugged opponents until the 72nd minute, despite having the lion’s share of both possession and chances.
When the goal came, it was via a closerange bicycle kick from the impressive Banga, who reacted quickest when hitherto imperious Zimbabwe keeper Sibanda failed to deal with a Serge Andoulo freekick into his box amid a melee of players.
The ball bounced up to Coton Sport’s Banga — who had been replaced as captain of the local Lions ahead of the tournament following Jacques Zoua’s decision to play for the home-based side — reacted quickest, and slammed a delightful overhead kick into an unguarded net.
Before his error, Sibanda had kept Zimbabwe in the contest with a series of fine saves, although credit must go to the Warriors backline who were resilient and organised, appearing to put behind them pre-match allegations of witchcraft from coach Zdravko Logarusic, who found a dead bat on the pitch before kick-off.
Cameroon, boosted by a vibrant crowd, set the tone early on with two corners inside the first eight minutes.
However, they increasingly appeared jittery and snatched at chances through the contest as they sought desperately to find the opener.
Profligate Alfred Meyong of Stade Renard was the key culprit for Cameroon as they missed a hatful of chances.
In the 18th minute, Sibanda’s heroics began as he denied Meyong from range, the Highlanders captain and stopper keeping his cool to dive low to his left and hold onto the ball.
Meyong again struck from distance three minutes later as Cameroon started to impose themselves, but Zimbabwe’s defensive resilience denied them clearer opportunities.
After the break, Zoua — an Africa Cup of Nations winner with the Lions in 2017 — cut in from the left flank and sent a rightfooted effort wide of Zimbabwe’s goal, and this set the tone for a Lions onslaught during the second period. Meyong again fired straight at Sibanda moments later.
He shot wide again in the 63rd minute and then missed his best chance three minutes later when, arriving at the back post to meet a looping cross from the outstanding Martin Assomo, his angled header flew wide of Sibanda’s bar.
The visitors — without competitive football in their homeland for over a year — predictably tired as the contest wore on, although their defensive diligence — notably tracking back en masse following a corner as Cameroon attempted to break — shone through.
Ultimately, they were not able to hold on until the end, as Banga’s delightful effort settled the contest, but Logarusic’s side can take confidence as they prepare for further Group A encounters against Burkina Faso and Mali, who played later last night.
The Warriors face Burkina Faso’s Stallions on Wednesday, before rounding off their group matches on Sunday with a clash against yet another West African opposition — Mali’s Eagles.
Zimbabwe line-up: A. Sibanda, I. Nekati, T. Chamboko, S. Nyahwa, C. Mavhurume, P. Muduhwa, L. Mavhunga (K. Nadolo
73’) , R. Hachiro, W. Taderera (O. Chirinda
61’), R. Chitiyo (D. Mukamba 73’),
P. Govero Warriors – Sports Reporter.