Warriors save best for last
Warriors save best for last
Posted: 2009-11-02 10:19
Zimbabwe saved their best for last with an excellent display of attacking football as they defeated Zambia 3-1 in the final of the 2009 Cosafa Senior Challenge at a packed Rufaro Stadium in Harare yesterday.
After finding themselves behind when Henry Banda netted for Chipolopolo midway through the first half, the Warriors bounced back with three goals in 19 minutes as Nyasha Mushekwi (two) and Cuthbert Malajali found the back of the net.
The teams traded long-range shots early on, though neither keeper was unduly troubled, but the Zambians started the brighter with their quick counter-attacks and more direct style of football.
The first real opening fell to Zambia 20 minutes in as Allan Mukuka was brilliantly released through on goal, but his shot from an angle sailed high and wide.
And it was Chipolopolo who found the opener on 24 minutes as Henry Banda collected the ball on the edge of the area, brilliantly beat his man and lifted the ball over the on-rushing Edmore Sibanda in the home goal. It was a fantastic solo effort that sent the Zambian bench into raptures.
But their joy was short-lived as the home side were level just two minutes later with an equally well-worked goal.
Mushekwi got behind the Zambian defence and took the ball past Jacob Banda, before side-footing home.
And the home side almost took the lead in comical fashion soon afterwards as a long ball from the Zimbabwe half bounced high on the artificial surface, fooling the on-rushing Banda, who could only parry the ball with Mushekwi lurking.
The keeper recovered just before the striker could wrap his foot around the ball.
Mushekwi then hit his half-volley over the bar after being brilliantly set-up by Malajali, but he did have his second goal on 35 minutes as he steered his header into the bottom corner from the right wing cross.
By now the Zimbabweans were in total control and rampant, and Mushekwi failed to connect properly with another header when he had two teammates much better placed behind him.
The inevitable third goal came in stoppage time in the first half after some excellent interplay on the edge of the Zambian area and the tournament's leading scorer, Malajali, netted his fourth of the competition.
Mushekwi headed over early in the second half as Zimbabwe continued to look the most likely to score, but Luka Lunga did test the reflexes of Sibanda with a low drive that the keeper managed to beat to safety.
Christopher Semakweri had a brilliant run and shot that Henry Banda did well to save, following it up with another effort a while later that was more comfortable for the keeper.
But try as they might, the Zambians could not break down the home defence and victory was sweet for the Warriors, who received the trophy from the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe.
Zimbabwe also claimed the Fair Play Award for the team with the best disciplinary record, while Player of the Tournament was claimed by Mozambique winger Josemar Machaisse.
Zimbabwe striker Malajali claimed the Top Goal scorer Award for his four strikes, while Goalkeeper of the Tournament was won by the brilliant Edmore Sibanda.
AWARDS:
Fair Play Award: Zimbabwe
Player of the Tournament: Josemar Machaisse (Mozambique)
Goalkeeper of the Tournament: Edmore Sibanda (Zimbabwe)
Top Goal scorer Award: Cuthbert Malajali (Zimbabwe) – 4 goals
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