ZIMBABWE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 3
NAMIBIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
FOR a long time, Zimbabwe football fans waited for the Jordan “JZ” Zemura super show.
He finally delivered against Namibia at Orlando Stadium arena in South Africa last night.
Walter Musona notched up his first brace in Warriors colours with a beautiful improvised half volley and a well-taken penalty, but it was JZ who sparkled the most under the bright lights of the Johannesburg stadium.
The victory, which was sweetened by Prince Dube’s late strike, pushed Zimbabwe to the brink of qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations after effectively eliminating Group J bottom side Namibia.
After a lacklustre show in the first match which they, however, won 1-0 against the same opponents on Thursday, the Johannesburg-based Zimbabwe fans came out in their numbers demanding to witness a good performance and Michael Nees’ team duly obliged.
With the win, the Warriors moved to eight points, two behind Cameroon who now look home and dry following their 1-0 win over Kenya yesterday afternoon.
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Zimbabwe are looking good to tag along to the Morocco finals with two matches to be played next month.
The Warriors still have to host Kenya and travel to Cameroon for their final group qualifiers.
Kenya are stuck on four points, which means if the Warriors can avoid defeat against the Harambe Stars, they will clinch the other ticket to the Afcon finals.
Yesterday, a mistake by Gerald Takwara late on was the only blemish on an otherwise good outing as it gifted Namibia with an easy scoring chance which they took.
Had the Warriors kept a clean sheet, they would have maintained their place in a group that involves Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Egypt to have kept clean sheets throughout the qualifiers at this juncture.
Nees promised after the Thursday match that his team would improve in the second half.
The Warriors laboured in the first half, with Namibia looking hungrier while knitting good passes.
Despite enjoying and dominating in midfield, it was Zimbabwe who had the best chance of the half after a neat interchange of passes released Douglas Mapfumo, who saw his shot saved by the goalkeeper Edward Maova.
Zimbabwe goalkeeper Washington Arubi barely made a meaningful save in the first period, where they lost Brendan Galloway through injury.
The Warriors needed to impose themselves more on the game in the second stanza and with some fans yet to take their seats after the break, it was celebration time.
Zimbabwe won a free kick just outside the box which after a conference also involving two other specialists, Khama Billiat and JZ, it was Musona who was allowed the task.
His effort was blocked by the Namibia wall and it was a chance that went begging.
Musona was probably still kicking himself when another chance was presented, this time with a half volley that looked harmless until the goalkeeper who was off his line started scrambling to get back.
The ball then nestled into the nets triggering wild celebrations from the colourful crowd.
The Simba Bhora star doubled the advantage from a penalty spot after a defender had handled Zemura’s goal-bound shot.
The two-goal lead allowed Zimbabwe to play with flair and freedom.
Zemura slalomed past defenders and unleashed a stinger that was parried and Terrence Dzvukamanja could not turn the rebound home.
Substitute Dube took the game further away from Namibia in the 89th minute when he finished smartly from inside the box after getting to an end of a Zemura cross.
Godwin Eiseb found a consolation for Namibia a minute later, capitalising from a Takwara shot backpass
Teams
Zimbabwe: W Arubi, G Murwira, B Galloway (T Hadebe, 26’), G Takwara, J Zemura, A Rinomhota, M Munetsi, T Dzvukamanja (P Dube, 82’), W Musona (R Hachiro, 82’), K Billiat (T Maswanhise, 66’), D Mapfumo (D Lunga, 66’)
Namibia: E Maova, I Kamperipa, A Petrus, H Hanamub, V Hambira, D Hoto, P Tjiueza, K Amutenya, M Muzeu (V Ngaruka, 85’), P Shalulile (M Shidolo, 63’), P Amutenya (E Kulula, 63’), B Nashixwa (G Eiseb, 85’)
