WARRIORS' striker Takesure Chinyama believes luck was not on their side as Zimbabwe crashed to a disappointing defeat in their opening World Cup qualifier against Guinea at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
Chinyama and his strike partner Knowledge Musona stood guilty of several missed opportunities in both halves while Guinea needed only one good chance from a set-piece to bag the priceless away points.
The Warriors carved several chances but their finishing was a big let down.
With better precision, Zimbabwe could have at least come off with a point from the chances they created.
"We played well as a team but the goals could not come. Sometimes in football you need luck to win games.
"As everyone saw we dominated the match for longer periods and did everything possible but we still could not get the goals," said Chinyama.
The Dynamos hitman, who was given a starting place by coach Rahman Gumbo, missed two good chances in the first half, with Musona supplying both crosses.
Zimbabwe continued on top of the situation in the second half but they could not beat the opposition goalkeeper, with Musona also squandering a glut of chances.
However, Chinyama said they have to put the disappointment behind them and focus on matches ahead of a busy schedule.
"It's painful to lose at home, especially the first match of an important campaign as this one. Everyone is devastated. Our hearts are bleeding with this defeat but we don't have to lose all hope.
"We are playing our next match soon, so we need to pick ourselves up quickly and focus on the coming challenges. It's a battle lost but the war is certainly not over," said Chinyama.
The defeat was bitter for the fans who chanted choruses calling for the return of coach Norman Mapeza.
The fans went on to throw missiles at the players as they left the pitch back at the end of the match and riot police had to act swiftly to disperse the angry mob.
Zifa could find themselves in hot soup with Fifa over the incident, which affected both teams and the Mauritian match officials.
Zimbabwe, who enjoyed warm support of the home crowds, had hoped to begin their campaign on a positive note after Group G favourites Egypt set the pace on Friday with a 2-0 win over Mozambique.
Egypt sit on top of the table in the group with three points. Guinea, on three points again, are second while Zimbabwe and Mozambique complete the group standings in that order with no points.
The Warriors will travel to Mozambique this week for their second game of the qualifiers while Guinea host Egypt.
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