ZIMBABWE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(2) 3
MOZAMBIQUE . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
ZIMBABWE'S campaign in this year's Cosafa Cup in Bloemfontein, South Africa, came to a disappointing end at the group stage yesterday despite a dominant win over Mozambique in their final Group A match at the Toyota Stadium.
Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya's first half brace, including a 36th minute penalty, and a Junior Makunike injury time strike, were not enough for this second string Warriors squad to progress to the semifinals of the competition.
With only the group leader progressing to the next stage, Group A ticket was snatched by South Africa by the smallest of margins after three teams, including Zimbabwe, had finished the group equal on four points.
Hosts South Africa topped the group due to a +1 goal difference while Zimbabwe had a zero goal difference following a goalless draw against Mauritius in their opener and a 2-0 defeat to Bafana Bafana in the second match.
Mozambique also finished with four points but also crashed out as they had a -1 goal difference.
Mauritius finished bottom of the group with three points.
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Needing to beat Mozambique by a big margin to entertain any hopes of progressing to the semis, Zimbabwe started brightly, but could not fashion any good chances early on.
They found the breakthrough in the 26th minute when the exciting Nezbert Muzenda released Ngwenya to fire past the Mozambican goalkeeper Acácio Muendane.
The goal was confirmed after a long VAR review.
Moments later, Ngwenya was brought down inside the box by Muendane and the FC Platinum striker dusted himself up to double the Warriors' lead.
Mozambique pulled one back two minutes later when Leonel Calsao's long-range effort beat goalkeeper Tatenda Chikowero.
The Mambas pushed for an equaliser before the halftime break, forcing a good reflex save from Chikowero before Antonio Sumbane's deflected shot hit the crossbar.
Zimbabwe assumed control of the match in the second half but once again, the chances were few and far in between.
Nathan Mutasa was introduced with two minutes remaining of the match for his Warriors debut, but it was his fellow substitute Tanaka Munemo who made the big impact.
A minute after teenage winger Menzi Mazwi had made a mess of his effort after being put through on goal, Munemo won possession of the right wing and beat his marker before cutting back for Makunike to score in 95th minute.
Zimbabwe needed another goal in the remaining three minutes of eight minutes added on time, and Munemo should have sealed the ticket right at the death, but fired over the bar after he was threaded through on goal.
It proved to be the last real chance for the Warriors as they limped out of the tournament at the group stage once again.
Teams
Zimbabwe: T Chikowero, A Mbeba, A Chapinduka, B Mushonganyika, T Meke (M Mazwi, 80'), P Ndlovu (T Munemo, 72'), N Muzenda, P Padera, J Makunike, C Chigara, T Ngwenya.
Mozambique: A Muendane, O Pedro, K Cumbane, K Abdale, A Sumbane, B Francico, O Cherene, L Calsao, A Cantolo, L Manhiqur, I Cuboco
