Zimpapers Logo

Harare Bureau
WARRIORS assistant coach Lloyd Mutasa said it was always going to be very difficult to get a positive result from their penultimate match against Guinea following their chaotic travelling to Conakry. Zimbabwe were edged 1-0 by the Syli Nationals in a World Cup Group G, African qualifier at the Stade du 28 Septembre on Sunday night, to remain bottom of the pool with just a single point.

Troyes striker Mohammed Yattara scored the solitary goal in the 39th minute while he had another goal disallowed in the 90th minute.

Referee Hamada Nampiandraza ruled that the ball had gone out of play before the cross was whipped for the French-based striker Yattara.

Mutasa failed to travel to Guinea and was stranded in Dakar, Senegal along with Peter Ndlovu, head of delegation, Benedict Moyo, acting team manager Patrick Mutesva and chef Paradzai Manjonjo.

The five officials failed to get seats on the connecting flight to Conakry and ended up watching the delayed match on television from the Zimbabwean Embassy in Dakar.

Speaking from Dakar, yesterday, Mutasa said it would have needed a miracle for Zimbabwe to get three points from Guinea.

The match was a dead rubber because Egypt had earlier on taken an unassailable lead in the group, giving Guinea, little reason to fight.

Before the match, Guinea had an outside chance of fighting for a slot in the next round, had Egypt lost to Mozambique.

“The coach (Pagels) says it was going to be difficult to expect a positive result from this match. Everyone is aware of the poor organisation leading to the game and the players only arrived a few hours before the game.

“The players did not have time to adjust to the environment,” he said.

Mutasa gave credit to his troops for keeping the scoreline rather respectable despite the fact that Guinea had little to fight for in the dead rubber.

“Despite all the problems in organisation, the youngsters gave a good account of themselves.

“There was a bit of an improvement in this game from the one we played against Egypt,” said Mutasa.

Pagels was short of technical support on the bench as he only had physiotherapist Farai Muguwe who also acted as doctor and team manager for the 14 players who arrived in Conakry.

The Warriors, who had nothing to lose in this match, appeared to hold their own with veteran goalkeeper Washington Arubi standing firm between the posts until Yattara struck in the 39th minute.

Eric Chipeta played as the right wingback while Ocean Mushure was on the left with Felix Chindungwe and Lincoln Zvasiya being the centre backs.
Pagels, in what could be his last match in-charge of the Warriors, congested his midfield that had skipper Denver Mukamba, Archie Gutu, Devon Chafa, Masimba Mambare and Tafadzwa Rusike.

Roderick Mutuma played as the lone forward before he was replaced by Cuthbert Malajila while Mambare created room for Silas Songani after 60 minutes.

Mutasa refused to accept that Guinea put up a lethargic performance after learning that Egypt had won the pool.

“Personally I think Guinea tried their best during the match.

“I do not think they had been aware that Egypt had qualified.

“But I believe we made an improvement and if only we had travelled well, maybe we could have brewed a shocker,” said Mutasa.

The warriors were expected to leave Dakar last night and could be arriving in Harare today.

CAPS United midfielder, Hardlife Zvirekwi, who lost his passport during the stop-over in Kenya arrived on Sunday morning.