Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Robson Sharuko
2 June 2008
Conakry, Guinea — ZIMBABWE'S Warriors were the toast of Conakry last night after their impressive all-round performance on a rain-swept September 28 Stadium turned them into the heroes of the residents of this city as our battle for a place at the 2010 World Cup finals got off to a solid start.
Thousands of fans lined the streets of Conakry to cheer the Warriors as they drove to their team hotel in appreciation of their good performance, which won them a crucial point.
The locals -- who have seen a number of great players grace their fields in the past, including the immortal Cherrif Souleymane and the great Titi Camara, who was in the crowd yesterday -- saluted this group of Warriors for a job well done.
Women, men, boys, girls and even the little children, lined on the streets of this run-down capital and cheered loudly as the Warriors' team bus passed on its way to the hotel.
Warriors coach Valinhos -- in his first game in charge of the team in a World Cup qualifier -- praised the people of Guinea, saying he had never seen anything so touching in his lengthy time in football.
The Warriors are now joint second place in their group with Guinea but with the psychological advantage that they picked up a point in their toughest away game and that they should be strong enough to win their next game against Namibia at home.
The Brave Warriors of Namibia lead the group after their 2-1 win over Kenya in Windhoek on Saturday.
The Warriors came here knowing that this was a tough test against a team that qualified for the quarter-finals of the last Nations Cup finals and who, in midfielder Pascal Feindouno, have one of the best players on the continent.
Benjani and his men were also carrying the psychological burden of the previous past failures -- being reminded now and again of the 0-3 defeats suffered by the Warriors on two previous visits here.
But they played like true professionals here yesterday -- weathered an early storm in slippery conditions in which the home side forced seven corner kicks in the first 20 minutes, before finding their direction and confidence to match them man-for-man.
Led by man-of-the-match Onismor Bhasera -- the young Kaizer Chiefs defender whose game should now be good enough for Europe -- the Warriors regrouped and by deep in the second half they were the better team and the one more likely to win.
The introduction of Clemence Matawu in the second half into a deep midfield role for the injured Harlington Shereni gave the Warriors the deft skills in that crucial department to dictate terms and the Motor Action forward had a dream game.
His touch was first class, his team play brilliant while his creativity and vision opened avenues for the Warriors, who should have punished the tiring home side by using their chances.
The best fell to Chinyama towards the end of the match when a good move freed the Poland-based striker who should have chosen placement rather than power and his effort flew hopelessly wide.
But this was not a day for one hero.
This was an afternoon for a lot of heroes and goalkeeper Energy Murambadoro was solid and his fourth-minute save, after Feindonou broke clear from the middle, calmed the Warriors' nerves.
David Kutyauripo had probably his best game for the Warriors down the right side of the defence while the two twin towers -- Zvenyika Makonese and James Matola -- were solid in central defence. The midfield was shaky at the beginning but that was largely expected because the players needed time to adjust to their combination with Cephas Chimedza -- impressive on his return to the national team -- and Shereni marking their comeback.
Joseph Ngwenya was making his debut for the team and the stabilising force was Esrom Nyandoro.
Bhasera settled down fast -- in those slippery conditions -- and created our first good chance when he swung a beauty from the left and Gilbert Mushangazhike timed his run to perfection in the 15th minute but his header was blocked.
Chimedza, growing in confidence with each good touch, fired from a distance in the 26th minute but goalkeeper Kemoko Camara made a good save.
Three minutes later the home team attacked when Ismael Bangoura cut in from the left and created good space but his final shot lacked direction and flew across the goal.
The two teams traded blows and with Feindonou becoming more influential, the colourful crowd was beginning to believe.
But the Warriors held on and after the interval they created the first good chance when Chimedza sent another fine delivery from the left which deceived the goalkeeper but Mushangazhike headed wide under pressure.
In the 57th minute disaster almost struck for the Warriors when a comedy of errors in midfield confused their defence and Fode Mansara burst clear and came face-to-face with Murambadoro.
The big goalkeeper stretched his leg just long enough to make contact and the chance was lost.
Matawu and Chinyama came in the 62nd minute for the injured Shereni and the tiring Mushangazhike.
That gave the Warriors the advantage and they created a number of chances, especially coming down the right and in the 67th minute, Chinyama curled a good ball into the area and Benjani, arriving on the back post, connected first time but the goalkeeper got a crucial touch. Action swung the other way and there was a crucial block by Kutyauripo a few minutes later before Benjani's close-range header was saved by the goalkeeper after another fine piece of work by Matawu. Ngwenya had begun nervously but with Matawu giving him support, he came alive and started taking the game to the opponents with his clever runs and fine touches.
The Warriors were now clearly in charge and the introduction of Tinashe Nengomasha with five minutes remaining gave them the defensive cushion they wanted and they kept pouring forward.
The only concern came in injury time when Murambadoro went down and, with all the substitutes used, there were worried faces on the Zimbabwe bench but the big goalkeeper recovered to take his place and guide his team home.
Benjani praised his boys for their hearty show.
"It's a great start given that we were away from home and it should give us the confidence in our next matches."
Valinhos said his players had demonstrated a lot of patience and professionalism.
"I'm happy with this result because we were playing a very good team with a lot of good professionals."
The Warriors are expected home tomorrow night.
Warriors line-up
E.Murambadoro, D.Kutyauripo, O.Bhasera, Z.Makonese, J.Matola, E.Nyandoro, J.Ngwenya (T.Nengomasha 85th min), C.Chimedza, H.Shereni (C.Matawu 62nd min), G.Mushangazhike (T.Chinyama 62nd min), B.Mwaruwari
Man of the match: Onismor Bhasera.
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