Published by the government of Zimbabwe
27 October 2009
Harare — ZIMBABWE'S Warriors set up a potentially explosive Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup semi-final showdown with old enemies South Africa when they edged battling Botswana in a lively quarter-final tie at Barbourfields yesterday.
Midfielder Mthulisi Maphosa struck a late, late winner that ensured that the Warriors set a date with Bafana in the first of the two-semi-finals at Rufaro tomorrow.
Maphosa scrambled home a Tafadzwa Rusike corner two minutes from time to torch wild celebrations at a packed Barbourfields where an estimated 20 000 appreciative fans were treated to a double header that involved three of the tournament's heavyweights.
The fans had earlier watched Bafana Bafana destroy Angola 2-0 in the first of the quarter-finals that were served at Barbourfields yesterday.
That was before Maphosa, reinstated in the Warriors midfield after being inexplicably dropped from the side that drew 2-2 against Lesotho in the preliminary round, struck to keep Zimbabwe's interests in the competition very much alive.
Now another full house is expected at Rufaro tomorrow when the Warriors clash against Bafana Bafana for only the third Cosafa meeting between the two old enemies.
Interestingly, the Warriors have won the last two previous meetings between the sides, posting identical 1-0 wins with both games taking place in South Africa.
The first Cosafa meeting between Zimbabwe and South Africa was a semi-final tie in Port Elizabeth on July 27 in 2000.
Former Warriors vice-captain Kaitano Tembo struck the priceless winner that propelled Misheck Chidzambwa's men to the final in which they later comprehensively beat Lesotho 6-0.
Three years later, Sunday Chidzambwa and his troops arrived in east London for a quarter-final clash with Bafana Bafana and emerged victorious following a Lazarus Muhoni first half strike.
When Bafana Bafana saw off the challenge of Angola, they added pressure to the Warriors who were facing the Zebras in the main game of the afternoon.
Chidzambwa's men responded by getting an early grip on the match, but could not find any breakthrough.
In the end, they had Maphosa to thank for scrambling home the winner.
After going for three games without a loss and conceding a goal, Botswana's stock in the regional tournament had continued to rise.
They looked on course to send the game to a penalty shootout, and they were two minutes away when they conceded a corner.
In his only contribution of the second half, CAPS United forward and crowd favourite, Tafadzwa Rusike took the responsibility, sending an in-swinger with his left foot which eluded goalkeeper Noah Maphosa and the entire defence on the blind side, only for the ball to crash against the horizontal bar.
The rebound compelled some commotion in the box and from the goalmouth melee, the Monomotapa history-making captain, finished off Botswana's determined challenge.
The Zebras had come out the best in a pool, which had the Comoros, Swaziland and the Seychelles. They drew once against the Comoros before silencing Swaziland and Seychelles.
Zimbabwe started the more offensive of the two teams and could have opened the scoring in the second minute through Cuthbert Malajila.
The Dynamos forward came close with a well taken grounder which missed the upright by a few inches.
Nine minutes later, disappointing Evans Gwekwerere who failed to justify his inclusion in the team amid a weight of expectation that his international experience could probably swing the pendulum Zimbabwe's way, fed Rusike in the box.
Gwekwerere lasted just 45 minutes before he was hauled off and was replaced by an equally disappointing Philip Marufu as the Warriors struggled for creativity in attack.
Little CAPS United dynamo Rusike shot straight at Noah from a very promising position.
Another chance for Zimbabwe went begging when Monomotapa captain, Maphosa tried tamely to send the ball over the Zebras goalminder who was agile enough to collect it.
Immediately Botswana went on a counter attack with troublesome Pontsho Moloi firing a cracker from 30 metres, which Edmore Sibanda in goal for Zimbabwe did well to put his fingers to, forcing the ball to crash against the bar.
On 41 minutes, Gwekwerere had his effort missing the target from a tight angle under close surveillance by impressive Botswana skipper Mopathi Thuma.
In the second stanza, Botswana were first to try their luck at goal through Onaletha Tshekiso who had got the better of Daniel Vheremu and Gilbert Mapemba, but his hard shot missed the target.
A minute later Bay United striker Moloi forced a good save off Warriors goalkeeper.
In a rare incident in which the Botswana captain put his foot wrong, Thuma miscalculated a centre from the right, gifting Malajila with a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper in the 62nd minute.
The former Chapungu and Highlanders hitman scooped the ball over the goal with Noah a beaten man.
Malajila then lacked composure in front of goal with yet another headed wide, effort.
Chris Semakweri won a corner in the 88th minute, and Rusike took the responsibility smashing his curling effort against the woodwork.
From the ensuing commotion as the hosts battled to clear the line, Maphosa pushed the ball over the goal line to put Zimbabwe firmly on course for a semi-final tie against South Africa in Harare tomorrow.
Mozambique and Zambia will battle it out in Bulawayo on Thursday.
Chidzambwa said Botswana had given them a torrid time all afternoon.
"It was a very tight game, Botswana surprised me, they put up a good show," said Chidzambwa who is regarded as the most successful coach in the land.
Stanley Tshosane the Botswana coach said he was happy with the way his boys had performed.
"I am happy with the way the boys played," said Tshosane.
There were solid performances at the back and Chidzambwa has a tall order in his rebuilding exercise.
"We will keep on trying to work on creativity," said Chidzambwa.
He refused to be drawn into talking about the match against South Africa.
Teams:
Zimbabwe: E Sibanda, M Maphosa, A Nhongo, M Mwanjali, D Vheremu, C Semakweri, T Kamusoko, M Maphosa, E Gwekwerere (P Marufu 46th minute), G Mapemba, T Rusike, C Malajila
Botswana: N Maphosa, N Letsholathebe, Mmusa Ohilwe, M Thuma, P Moloi, O Nato, O Tshekiso (M Mosimanyana 86th minute), M Moatlhaping, M Boleland (M Mokgathi 63rd minute), O Ntesa, M Mogaladi
Zimbabwe..................................................(0) 1
Botswana.........................................................0
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