ICYMI:Zimbabwe Beat Swaziland 4-0 In 2017 AFCON Qualifier
The Warriors endured a frustrating first half as their struggled to find the early breakthrough they desperately sought with the hosts sometimes hurrying their efforts.It was a different story in the second half as Callisto Pasuwa’s men responded in a big way to the criticism they had endured. Musona, whose corner was bundled into his own goal by a Swaziland defender in the 1-1 draw, was head over heels as he felt Zimbabwe now have their fate in their own hands after opening a three-point gap at the top.Zimbabwe had a remarkable second half display which yielded all the four goals as towering defender Costa Nhamoinesu, substitutes Evans Rusike and Khama Billiat also added their names on the score sheet.
Musona said Zimbabwe should now aim to win their next match at home against the Flames of Malawi to enhance their chances ahead of the trip to Guinea for their last group match in September.
The Warriors are already fancying their chances as they look to end a 10-year hiatus since their last participation at the AFCON finals in Egypt in 2006. Warriors coach Pasuwa made five changes to the team that started in Swaziland .
It was a matter of time before they could crack. The introduction of Billiat, who replaced nervy winger Mudehwe at the resumption of the second half, gave Zimbabwe another dimension in attack as Mahachi, who had largely been quiet in the first half suddenly sprung back to life.
Mahachi won a penalty for the Warriors when he was upended inside the box by Swaziland defender from a through ball by Nakamba. Musona stepped up and expertly slotted the ball home in the 52nd minute, sending the keeper Nhlanhla Gwebu the wrong way. Pressure was always piling as Zimbabwe got another set-piece after Billiat was fouled on the edge of the box.
Swaziland goalkeeper Gwebu produced a fine save to deny Musona from the free-kick as he dived to his left and tipped the ball over the cross bar just three minutes after Zimbabwe got the lead.
Billiat was tripped on the edge of the box. The Mamelodi Sundowns man quickly dusted up and sent a high ball from the free-kick which was headed home by Nhamoinesu for Zimbabwe’s cushion on the 59th minute.
But the Warriors were not finished as indicated by Pasuwa who brought in a fresh pair of legs upfront by introducing Evans Rusike for Nyasha Mushekwi who had had a good day in office.
Billiat then killed off the game as a contest when he received the ball on the far side of the pitch unmarked and coolly placed the ball beyond the reach of the keeper. Pasuwa was relieved with the result after taking much of the criticism from the reverse leg. The Warriors gaffer said they are now looking forward to build on their lead in the group.
“Considering the fact that we were too close with the other teams in the group, scoring four goals was one thing which we wanted to boost goal difference. You never know at the end of the games it might be decided by goals.”
The former Dynamos coach revealed he was not satisfied with his team’s preparations for the back to back assignments against Swaziland and hinted they would need to focus on the next match and invest much in preparations before the clash with Malawi in June.
“We need to put more in terms of our preparations. It doesn’t mean that if we are on top of the group we sit and think everything will work automatically. Malawi is also playing very well. So we need to prepare ourselves very well so that we collect maximum points against them”, said Warriors Coach Pasuwa.
Zimbabwe have eight points, Swaziland five and Malawi and Guinea two each with only the group winners guaranteed a place at the 2017 Cup of Nations in Gabon.
