Zimpapers Logo

A troubled Zimbabwean side with just three days of preparations under their belt, defied the odds on Saturday with a 2-1 win away to Malawi in the opening round of the 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifiers to brighten their chances of a first successful campaign in a decade.

The stunning triumph came just 24 hours after Group L favourites Guinea were themselves shocked 2-1 at home by Swaziland, a development which has left some Zimbabweans convinced that this could be the year the gods finally smiled on their tortured team.

Zimbabwe are now joint top of the Group with Swaziland on three points.

The Warriors have the opportunity to re-organise, reinforce, and use the improbable victory in Blantyre as a springboard to push for the desperately needed Afcon qualification.

The challenge going forward would be to inflict a second consecutive defeat on stricken Guinea on their visit to Harare in September. Zimbabwe would then need to win their other two home matches against Malawi and Swaziland, and fight for at least a point in Mbabane.

That would leave coach Calisto Pasuwa’s team with the leeway to lose their last match away to Guinea next year and possibly still top the pool.

It is easier said than done though. The win in Malawi ended a run of 17 competitive matches on the road without victory for Zimbabwe, and their home form in recent years has also been anything but formidable.

Only last year they were held to a 2-2 draw at the National Sports Stadium by Tanzania, the result which allowed the visitors to proceed to the next round of the 2015 Afcon qualifiers on a 3-2 aggregate win, and while Saturday’s win over Malawi was heroic, the performance was largely abject, as Zimbabwe struggled for the kind of cohesion and sophistication expected at international level.

For much of the game, Zimbabwe were thoroughly outplayed by a fluid, skilful and well-prepared opponent.  Both Warriors goals, by Cuthbert Malajila and Khama Billiat, were the result of terrible blunders on the part of the hosts.

Harry Nyirenda’s air-kick gifted Malajila the opener, while Billiat somehow floated the ball into the net with what appeared to be an intended cross.

In all fairness, Zimbabwe’s lack of cohesion and sharpness was largely a reflection of the chaotic preparations which characterised the build-up. A rigorous road trip which meant the players arrived in Blantyre just hours before kick-off did little to help.

Still, coach Calisto Pasuwa might need to tweak some things and maybe vary his approach a little ahead of forthcoming battles.

The fielding of a front four of Musona, Khama Billiat, Kuda Mahachi, and Cuthbert Malajila, with Willard Katsande and Danny Phiri playing a double pivot behind, meant the team played without a natural attacking midfielder.

Mahachi is a huge potential, but he started just five league matches for Mamelodi Sundowns all season and was largely anonymous on Saturday until he was pulled out three minutes from time.

Under-23 captain Wisdom Mutasa made the squad for Malawi but he might not be technically ready for the demanding role. Dynamos star Ronald Chitiyo, Denver Mukamba and Raphael Manuvire were left behind.

Besides, the combination of Phiri and Katsande in central midfield could come under scrutiny in future, with some bound to argue that the latter needs a more rounded partner capable of helping the team to keep possession.

Central defence remains another unsolved puzzle for Pasuwa, who provided a huge talking point after fielding untested Justin Jangano from Division One side Yadah Gunners in Malawi.

Jangano has no Premiership experience whatsoever and spend the Cosafa Cup campaign warming the bench under Pasuwa’s assistant Saul Chaminuka. It was his blunder which contributed to Malawi’s goal and on numerous occasions he looked overwhelmed.

There were also a few awkward moments for Ronald Pfumbidzai at left-back and Pasuwa would have the option of calling up Czech-based Costa Nhamoinesu as back-up.

In goal, the gamble to overlook Washington Arubi and field inexperienced Dynamos youngster Tatenda Mukuruva paid off. The 20-year-old produced a man-of-the-match performance with some excellent stops as the Malawians threatened to overrun.

However, whether or not Mukuruva is exceptional enough to avoid the inconsistencies that normally hound goalkeepers in the early stages of their development is a question for another day.

Pasuwa will this week shift focus to local-based players ahead of Sunday’s clash with Comoros in an African Nations Championships (Chan) qualifier.

The tie could enable the former Dynamos coach to further assess other prospects like Walter Musona, Edmore Chirambadare and Talent Chawapiwa, whose emergence looks set to swell the talent base. – Goal.com