Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Robson Sharuko
27 March 2008
Gaborone — Botswana ..(0) 0 Zimbabwe..(0 ) 1 CUTHBERT Malajila's maiden international goal in the Warriors colours helped a subdued Zimbabwe beat a battling Botswana in an international friendly match at the National Stadium here last night.
The Highlanders striker, who was introduced at the beginning of the second half for Honour Gombami, touched the ball home over the line after the Botswana goalkeeper Modiri Marumo had made a mess of a ball flighted into the box by David Kutyauripo.
Malajila had only been on the field for three minutes when his decisive touch gave new Warriors coach Valinhos his first victory in charge of the senior team.
The goal triggered protests from the Botswana camp who felt that the ball had either not crossed the line or that their goalkeeper had been fouled in the process. That moment marked the difference between a Warriors side that found it difficult to produce a flowing game and a Botswana side that was so full of inspiration and probably deserved a draw.
That breakthrough could have come for the home side in the very last minute of added time when substitute Khumo Mothlabane found space at the right wing and fired a blistering drive that crashed against the post. But by then Zimbabwe should have been home and dry when in their last move of the night in the 78th minute saw David Kutyauripo cut a beauty from the right, right into path of Malajila, alone in the middle of the box but the Bosso striker somehow directed his effort with his left foot wide off the target with goalkeeper well beaten. Chances were few and far between for Zimbabwe who again struggled to find a creative hub to breakdown a resilient Botswana rearguard.
Gombami had been thrust in that position to provide the creativity but the Belgium-based player struggled to get into the groove in a forgettable 45 minutes. There was once again a markedly safety first approach from Valinhos with the two defensive minded midfielders -- Esrom Nyandoro and Justice Majabvi being thrown into the first XI. Expectedly, the Warriors found creativity and adventure not forthcoming in their game and now and again the long balls were pumped into the area in search of skipper Benjani Mwaruwari and Gilbert Mushangazhike.
But it was clear there was a gulf between the two strikers and the rest of the their teammates and now and again the national team failed to get the cohesion they might have wanted. The Warriors first real chance did not arrive until the 31st minute when Gombami headed over from a fine cross by Vusa Nyoni.
Two minutes before the interval, Botswana created their best chance of the first half when Bephetogo Tselohlwane left Zvenyika Makonese for dead and his dangerous shot resulted in a goalmouth melee before the Warriors defenders scrambled the ball away to safety. Botswana were clearly the team with the momentum by the half time break and Valinhos needed to act to stem the tide of the inspired Zebras.
The Brazilian coach's response was to replace Gombami with Malajila and draw Mushangazhike back into a supporting role in midfield. Three minutes after the break the Warriors got their breakthrough with that scrambled effort and while Botswana replied strongly they just could not make any clear that breakthrough until the last minute when they hit post. There was lively support for the Warriors once again with hundreds of Zimbabwe making their way into the stadium where they formed part of a strong crowd of about 20 000 fans.
The Warriors fans might probably have left for home a satisfied lot with the win but they know there is a long way to go before their team can gel into a unit on which they confidently bet their last dollar to qualify for both 2010 World Cup and the African Cup of Nations finals.
The Warriors were scheduled to arrive home in the early hours of today aboard a charter flight from Gaborone.
Zimbabwe Team:
E. Murambadoro, D. Kutyauripo, O. Moyo, Z. Makonese (G. Banda 88th minute), Z. Jambo, E. Nyandoro, J. Majabvi, H. Gombami (C. Malajila 46th minute) V. Nyoni, G. Mushangazhike, B. Mwaruwari.
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