Ovidy Karuru
Zimbabwe’s chances of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup suffered a major blow after the Warriors were held to a 0-0 draw by battling Mozambique at the Estadio de Zimpeto in Maputo on Sunday.
The result leaves coach, Rahman Gumbo, under pressure after his charges lost 0-1 to Guinea at home last weekend in their opening qualifier.
Egypt are tied with Guinea at the top of Group G with three points followed by Mozambique and Zimbabwe with a point each. Guinea were hosting Egypt in Conakry later on Sunday.
But in Maputo on Sunday, it was again a tale of missed chances as last week’s culprits Takesure Chinyama and Knowledge Musona, in addition to a lacklustre performance by Ovidy Karuru, saw the Warriors miss several glaring chances.
The result leaves coach, Rahman Gumbo, under pressure after his charges lost 0-1 to Guinea at home last weekend in their opening qualifier.
Egypt are tied with Guinea at the top of Group G with three points followed by Mozambique and Zimbabwe with a point each. Guinea were hosting Egypt in Conakry later on Sunday.
But in Maputo on Sunday, it was again a tale of missed chances as last week’s culprits Takesure Chinyama and Knowledge Musona, in addition to a lacklustre performance by Ovidy Karuru, saw the Warriors miss several glaring chances.
Musona hit the side netting in the 12th minute after a Vusa Nyoni free kick had rebounded off the Mozambican wall. Chinyama then reminded Zimbabweans of his terrible misses against Guinea last week, blasting straight at the Mozambican goal-keeper after 14 minutes.
While Vusa Nyoni, moved into midfield, was busy on the left wing, flighting in some promising crosses, Chinyama and Musona were slow to get into the box, leaving the Mozambicans to easily clear any danger.
Again there was no follow-up on the loose balls as Willard Katsande seemed to struggle while Ovidy Karuru had not yet settled by the half hour.
Elia Pelembe, who plays alongside Esrom Nyandoro at Mamelodi Sundowns, was cautioned for diving in the 36th minute while Oscar Machapa, constantly under pressure, was also cautioned for pulling Pelembe’s jersey.
Two minutes before the breather, Karuru, had a clear chance but instead of taking a crack at goal, tried to find a muzzled Musona before Chinyama shot over in the second minute of first half added time.
Gumbo was forced to make a substitution five minutes after the restart after Karuru’s injury with Denver Mukamba coming in to reinforce Zimbabwe uninspired attack play in the final third.
Chinyama failed again in the 54th minute after being set up by Musona and was eventually taken off for Terrence Mandaza in the 61st minute.
Five minutes later, Musona blasted a free kick over the bar from the edge of the box before Mukamba’s effort, while hitting the nets, was ruled offside two minutes later.
An onslaught in the last 10 minutes, failed to produce a goal despite Mukamba’s darting runs in midfield which kept Mozambique on their toes.
Goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini saved Zimbabwe the blushes with a point blank save in the 86th minute, moments before Nyandoro’s injury.
Gumbo – who was the subject of fan protests after the defeat to Guinea - will hope his strikers rediscover their form next Sunday when the Warriors play Burundi in the second leg of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
Zimbabwe lost the first leg 0-1 in Bujumbura on February 29.
While Vusa Nyoni, moved into midfield, was busy on the left wing, flighting in some promising crosses, Chinyama and Musona were slow to get into the box, leaving the Mozambicans to easily clear any danger.
Again there was no follow-up on the loose balls as Willard Katsande seemed to struggle while Ovidy Karuru had not yet settled by the half hour.
Elia Pelembe, who plays alongside Esrom Nyandoro at Mamelodi Sundowns, was cautioned for diving in the 36th minute while Oscar Machapa, constantly under pressure, was also cautioned for pulling Pelembe’s jersey.
Two minutes before the breather, Karuru, had a clear chance but instead of taking a crack at goal, tried to find a muzzled Musona before Chinyama shot over in the second minute of first half added time.
Gumbo was forced to make a substitution five minutes after the restart after Karuru’s injury with Denver Mukamba coming in to reinforce Zimbabwe uninspired attack play in the final third.
Chinyama failed again in the 54th minute after being set up by Musona and was eventually taken off for Terrence Mandaza in the 61st minute.
Five minutes later, Musona blasted a free kick over the bar from the edge of the box before Mukamba’s effort, while hitting the nets, was ruled offside two minutes later.
An onslaught in the last 10 minutes, failed to produce a goal despite Mukamba’s darting runs in midfield which kept Mozambique on their toes.
Goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini saved Zimbabwe the blushes with a point blank save in the 86th minute, moments before Nyandoro’s injury.
Gumbo – who was the subject of fan protests after the defeat to Guinea - will hope his strikers rediscover their form next Sunday when the Warriors play Burundi in the second leg of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
Zimbabwe lost the first leg 0-1 in Bujumbura on February 29.
NEW ZIMBABWE
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