By Rainos Mukanya
The Warriors of Zimbabwe booked their place in the semi- finals of the Chan following a 2-1 victory over Mali in a quarter final match played at the Cape Town stadium on Saturday night.
Goals in each half by Simba Sithole and Kuda Mahachi put the Warriors in command before a late strike from substitute Hamidou Sinnayoko caused some anxious moments at the end.
The free scoring Eagles of Mali had come into the match with the record of having scored in each of their group match while the Warriors had scored only once, but importantly not conceded.
The match started at a blistering pace with Mali threatining the Zimbabwe goal as early as the third minute, but Sidibe’s shot from the edge of the box went wide.
Simba Sithole whipped in a dangerous cross into the Mali goal area which was pushed for corner. From the resultant corner Masimba Mambare forced a save from Samba Diakite in goals for Mali.
The opening goal came in the 11th minute when Sithole latched onto a long pass from the back to fire home a low shot which gave Diakite no chance. The Warriors were in full control of the game holding the ball nicely and finding each other with relative ease.
In an attempt to conjure up an equaliser, Sidibe shot over from outside the box in the 20th minute. Then in the 24th the impressive Peter Moyo could have made it 2 nil, but his 30m daisy-cutter was fingertipped for a corner by Diakite.
The Malians on the other hand were finding it difficult to breach the resolute Warriors defence. Masimba Mambare forced a save from Diakite in the 31st minute and Mahachi’s follow up effort was scrambled for a corner by a defender.
Zimbabweans were reminded once again of their team’s profligacy when both Sithole and Ali Sadiki took turns to miss gilt edged chances in the 38th and 41st minute respectively. With the game headed for the break, the Warriors defenders were caught napping, but Lassana Diarra drove his shot over with Chigova sprawling on the ground.
The Eagles came back from the breather a rejuvenated side creating decent scoring chances which were, however, thwarted by the Warriors rearguard. The Warriors were relying now on counter attacks and in one such scenario Moyo failed to finish a square pass from Mahachi in the 54th minute.
However, two minutes later, the Warriors increased their lead courtesy of a beautiful goal by Mahachi who weaved his way past a cluster of Mali defenders to slot home his first goal of the tournament. For the first time Zimbabwe had scored more than one goal in the Chan.
The desperation in the Mali camp was now reaching fever pitch and in the 61st minute the usually dependable Adama Traore was taken off for Idrissa Traore. Warriors coach Ian Gorowa learnt that even in victory there is anxiety to endure.
There were constant bellowed instructions to his players whenever their guard slipped, the coach pacing his technical area. As the number of shots from Mali piled the confidence and belief of the Zimbabwean team grew.
Sinnayoko was denied by Chigova who saved with his legs in a one on one situation in the 89th minute. Then the consolation came. A cross from Traore into the box was turned in by Sinnayoko who had eluded his marker substitute Felix Chindungwe.
The goal set up a nervy end to the match with the Eagles threatening to spoil the Warriors party. To their credit, th eagles bow out with their record of scoring in every match while the warriors’ defence has been breached for the first time.
The Warriors’ showing is a triumph for Ian Gorowa who has pieced together many players of modest experience and has now achieved success without sacrifising flair. Zimbabwe now await the winner of the match between Gabon and Libya.
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