Warriors through to Chan finals

Sport
ZIMBABWE qualified for the African Nations Championships (Chan) finals to be staged in South Africa next year after beating Zambia, yesterday.

Zambia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 Zimbabwe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1 ZIMBABWE qualified for the African Nations Championships (Chan) finals to be staged in South Africa next year after grinding out an away win at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, Ndola, Zambia, yesterday.

FROM KEVIN MAPASURE in NDOLA, ZAMBIA

Against all odds, the Warriors stunned their more illustrious opponents with a Charles Sibanda second-half strike. Zambia enjoyed most of the possession, but Zimbabwe created the best chances on the break and made good use of one to end Chipolopolo’s unbeaten run at this stadium.

Striker Nelson Mazivisa was the architect of the goal when he dispossessed Zambia captain Bronson Chama and delivered a peach of a pass to Sibanda for an easy task to beat the goalkeeper Danny Munyau on 63 minutes.

Substitute Masimba Mambare could have increased the lead after another counter-attacking move, but miscued his effort. Zambia poured in everything, but they just could not breach Zimbabwe’s defence.

Zimbabwe coach Ian Gorowa was ecstatic after the match, but conceded that his team endured a tough afternoon. “I am very happy we have qualified, but I have to admit that most of the game we were under pressure,” Gorowa said.

Gorowa might have surprised many with his selection and set-up when he played Milton Ncube at left-back and benched Peter Moyo for Danny Phiri. But he was vindicated when Phiri put up a good performance in the middle of the park.