Nyandoro rescues Warriors

Nyandoro rescues Warriors

NYANDORO saved Warriors

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• Mhlauri recalls defender Ndlovu for Morocco tie

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By Nkanyiso Moyo

ZIMBABWE'S chances of making the Africa Cup of Nations next year are hanging by the proverbial gossamer thread after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Morocco in a Group 12 qualifier played at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.

The Warriors had Esrom Nyandoro to thank for the point, which gives them slim hopes, after the Mamelodi Sundowns man scored from a free kick nine minutes before the death to cancel out Youssef Hadji’s headed goal on the 7th minute.

Noel Kaseke, who plays for Paralimni in Cyprus made his debut in Zimbabwean colours as a right back and was impressive all afternoon.

Coach Charles Mhlauri refused to concede defeat saying they have a chance in the return leg in Rabat in June.

“The result is bad, but we still have a chance if we win in June. That is what we must immediately start working on,” he said.

Hadji soared high to head in a cross inside the box, despite the close attentions of Dickson Choto and Zvenyika Makonese.

Captain Benjani Mwaruwari had an effort at goal punched away for a corner in the 16th minute and then Onesimo Bhasera also forced Zimbabwe’s first corner in the 20th minute.

Joel Luphahla’s stinger from the edge of the box was tipped away for a corner by Morocco goalkeeper Tarek Jarmouni in the 43rd minute and Esrom Nyandoro shot over the bar on the stroke of half time.

Mhlauri brought in Vusa Nyoni for Cephas Chimedza in the 49th minute, Evans Gwekwerere in the 57th minute and later Peter Ndlovu for Joel Luphahla in the 71st minute in search of equaliser, but nothing came off it.

Mohammed Yacoubi almost increased Moroccan lead nine minutes before the hour but shot over the bar, with no Zimbabwean defender in sight.

Luphahla’s effort was tipped over the bar in the 57th minute, while Gwekwerere’s attempt, taken outside the box was well saved as the Warriors raided the Moroccan goal.

Former captain Ndlovu tried a cheeky curler after latching on to a pass from Mwaruwari on 73 minutes, to no avail.

The Warriors were then on the backfoot in the 80th minute when Hadji set up Youssef Safri, who returned the favour, placed his effort over the bar.

A minute later, Mwaruwari charged towards goal, but was tripped 25 metres out.

Nyandoro pulled the trigger from the freekick and the keeper could only watch as the ball hit the nets to give Zimbabwe the equaliser.

A minute later, Zimbabwe could have taken the lead when Ndlovu was brought down on the byline and the Moroccans, now aware of Nyandoro’s prowess, put up an eight-man wall, which successfully blocked the attempt at goal.

Kapini came to Zimbabwe’s rescue in the 83rd minute as he grabbed the ball from the feet of Nadir Lamyahri in a counter attack.

In the end, Zimbabwe had to be content with a point.

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