YOUNG Warriors international Kuda Mahachi believes they can still beat South Africa in the second leg, final qualifier of the Caf Under 23 Championships early next month.
The two countries played a 1-1 draw at Rufaro on Sunday when Keegan Dolly benefitted from a slip by skipper Wisdom Mutasa to plant the ball past goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva.
Walter Musona then equalised from spot seven minutes from time after a handling offence in the South African box.
Mahachi lasted 69 minutes of the match before he was taken out for Carlos Rusere.
“I think we can still do better in the second leg. We made a few mistakes here and there.
“We were second to the ball most of the time and there were some holes in our midfield, but I believe we can rise again,” Mahachi said.
Asked if his lack of game time at Mamelodi Sundowns contributed to his lacklustre performance, Mahachi said: “I don’t think so.
“We need to look at the performance of the whole team for the entire match and not focus on individuals.”
Coach Kalisto Pasuwa is likely to ring changes for his side in the August 2 return leg with Mutasa likely to be dropped to the bench in favour of the more mobile Malvern Gaki.
Defender Liberty Chakoroma is also expected to be back for the second leg after missing out Sunday’s match due to trials at Free State Stars in South Africa.
In his left back position, Pritchard Mpelele took his place but the Hwange man is an attacker and was exposed when time and again when South Africa midfielder Abbubaker Mobara sprayed balls to his left wing.
Pasuwa might also get Ronald Pfumbidzai from Hobro in Denmark for the match, but chances of getting Marvelous Nakamba from Vitesse are slim as the team is in Austria for a preseason camp.
The Young Warriors are expected to return to camp next Sunday after Week 18 of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League action, although the technical team would have not wanted to break camp.
But Zifa’s well known financial struggles, which saw them fail to send the women’s team to Ivory Coast on Sunday, makes Pasuwa’s mission nearly impossible.Advertisement