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Mushangazhike double sends Warriors top
AN EMOTIONAL day at Rufaro, and a memorable double for Gilbert Mushangazhike.
Almost a year after the famous stadium last hosted a football match due to FIFA-funded renovations, its gates were opened for this 2010 World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Namibia, and the floodgates swung open for Zimbabwe’s big ambitions under Brazilian coach Jose Valinhos.
Manchester City striker Benjani Mwaruwari, easily the biggest attraction in this clash, crashed a thunderous shot against the crossbar.
But it was Mushangazhike who stole the thunder, scoring either side of the first half to lift Zimbabwe to the top of Group 3.
With group favourites Guinea losing 2-0 away to Kenya, Zimbabwe must now fancy their chances. Kenya were 2-1 losers against Namibia last week, while Zimbabwe drew 0-0 with Guinea in their opening match.
Playing on an artificial turf for the first time, Zimbabwe took a while to hit top gear.
Unconverted half chances fell to Mushangazhike, Harlington Shereni and Esrom Nyandoro early on.
Then Zimbabwe struck on 25 minutes, Nyandoro setting up Mushangazhike with a long ball. As the Namibian goalkeeper Attiel Mbaha rushed off his line to intercept the Orlando Pirates man, Mushangazhike slid through to send the home crowd into ecstacy.
Joseph Ngwenya, playing only his second game under Valinhos, tested Mbaha twice inside a minute shortly after half-time.
But Zimbabwe’s lead was looking more precarious as the game wore on. Onisimo Bhasera came close from a free kick which Mbaha punched back into play.
Then the big moment. Mwaruwari beat two markers in an amazing burst of power but watched head-in-hands as his stunning effort cannoned off the crossbar.
The Warriors made sure of victory five minutes from the end as Mushangazhike’s diving header from a Bhasera cross nestled in the nets.
Valinhos hailed the win as "important", adding: “We had a good game and deserved to win.
This is good for the players as well because they gave it their best.”
Valinhos expects Mwaruwari, who was withdrawn with a pulled muscle, to be fit for Wednesday’s trip to Kenya. Cephas Chimedza and Shereni are also injury concerns.
Victory in Kenya will almost certainly guarantee Zimbabwe a place in the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations and leave them on the verge of going through to the second stage of qualification for the 2010 World Cup to be hosted by South Africa.
Valinhos will name 18 players for the Kenya trip on Tuesday.
Teams:
Zimbabwe-E Murambadoro, D Kutyauripo, O Bhasera, Z Makonese, J Matola, J Ngwenya (C Matawu 54th min), H Shereni, C Chimedza (V Nyoni 78th min), E Nyandoro, B Mwaruwari (T Chinyama 82nd min), G Mushangazhike
Namibia-A Mbaha, R Gariseb, H Toromba, S Goagab, I Namaseb (P Jacob 73th min), B Brendell (P Jacob 58th min), J Ngatjizeko, Q Jacobs (J Baisako 58th min), C Khaiseb, O Risser, W Risser
Probable 18-man squad for Kenya trip:
Energy Murambadoro, Washington Arubi, David Kutyauripo, Cephas Chimedza, Benjani Mwaruwari, Esrom Nyandoro, Gilbert Mushangazhike, Takesure Chinyama, Zvenyika Makonese, Clement Matawu, Tinashe Nengomasha, Quincy Antipas, Joseph Ngwenya, Vusa Nyoni, Harlington Shereni, Onismor Bhasera, James Matola, Obert Moyo
2010 World Cup/African Cup of Nations Qualifiers:
Group Three Results:
Zimbabwe 2-0 Namibia; Kenya 2-0 Guinea
Zimbabwe’s Remaining Fixtures:
16-18 June-Kenya vs Zimbabwe
22-26 June-Zimbabwe vs Kenya
6-8 September-Namibia vs Zimbabwe
17-19 October Zimbabwe vs Guinea
South Africa qualify for the World Cup finals as hosts. The 12 group winners and the eight best runners-up will contest the next stage in the qualification process.
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