Zimbabwe coach Michael Nees has defended his decision on Khama Billiat and Knowledeg Musona after the draw against Benin.
The Warriors rallied back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Benin in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Thursday evening.
Both Billiat and Musona started for the home side, with the latter marking his return to international football with the equaliser in the second half.
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However, both veteran attackers were hauled off in the second as Nees described the clash as an 'AFCON final'.
"It was a very intensive game; very fast. It was an AFCON [final] level match for me, you needed to bring in fresh legs," Nees said, as per PanAfricanFootball.
It is very simple. It was the same with the other substitutes. We wanted to bring players who could enter the opponents' box very quickly…I thought quicker guys with lower centre of gravity could make a difference," he said
"We gave everything. Knowledge was showing signs of fatigue and Khama also. We cannot ignore realities."