Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Augustine Hwata
30 August 2008
Harare — Young Warriors skipper Archiford Gutu sank a brace for a wasteful Zimbabwe that took a seemingly healthy advantage over Reunion from an African Under-17 Championship first round, first leg soccer qualifier at Gwanzura yesterday.
Gutu, the most experienced member of the emerging crop of national team players, struck in the fifth and 30th minutes to secure a win for Zimbabwe.
The Zimbabweans were all over the Indian Ocean islanders and remained camped in the visitors' half for greater periods of the match.
With more precision up front, Zimbabwe should have harvested at least half a dozen goals in the first half and probably the same number in the second half.
Although pleased with the win, coach Rodwell Dhlakama said his charges still have a huge task at hand if they are to progress to the next finals of the competition.
In their last meeting with Reunion, Zimbabwe were held to a 1-1 draw at Rufaro in November 2006 and then played to another 1-1 draw in Saint Denis.
The tie went to a penalty shootout where Zimbabwe won 4-2 to set a date with South Africa who then knocked Dhlakama's charges out of the qualifiers.
"I am happy that we have posted a win but we need to work hard on the finishing.
"A lot of chances were wasted and I am not pleased with that," said Dhlakama.
The match had originally been set for Rufaro.Gutu also admitted that they missed a glut of chances but does not foresee Reunion turning over the tables in St Denis.
"We played well considering that this was the second international game for some of the players.
"I think we lacked the final touch but it's not going to be problem to go into the next round," said Gutu.
Charlton Mashumba could have thrust Zimbabwe into lead in the fourth minute of the game but missed from a clear chance.
CAPS FC midfielder Gutu then gave the Young Warriors the lead a minute later.
Reunion got their first real chance at goal in the 12th minute when winger Klote broke loose on the left and sent in cross into the box that the Zimbabwe defence failed to clear but there were no finishers for Reunion.
Zimbabwe could have increased their lead on the quarter hour mark had Tinotenda Chibharo not sent his effort over the bar from inside the box.
Reunion goalkeeper Gnavdin did well to keep the score down when he went airborne to save what could have been an own goal by his defender Babet in the 21st minute.
Gutu increased the lead when he beat an offside trap to slot the ball past Gnavdin, who was advancing to narrow the angle.
Charakupa curled in a fine free-kick from the left but Abraham Murembu could not drill the ball into the net in the 37th minute.
Zimbabwe continued to press on their opponents in the second half with Gutu behind most of the raids but still the finishing was just pathetic.
Reunion, who were clearly outplayed as Zimbabwe, made some sporadic raids that failed to yield any results and rarely troubled suspect goalkeeper Tonderai Matengaunga, who looked jittery.
There was drama towards the end of the match when the Reunion bench alleged that Zimbabwe had fielded four substitutes and called on the referee and match commissioner to stop the tie.
Final Score
Zimbabwe: 2
Reunion: 0
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