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AN ill-disciplined Zimbabwe Under-23 team finished with nine players on the field as they held Botswana to a draw in an incident packed first leg of the All Africa Games second round qualifier at the Molepolole Sports Complex here yesterday.
The Young Warriors had the Dynamos duo of Denver Mukamba and Archie Gutu being red-carded late in the second half while team manager Wellington Mupandare was also ejected from the bench by the referee Prichard Nhleko from Swaziland.
Despite finishing with two men short, Zimbabwe could still manage to smile after grinding a crucial away result.
Goals from Simba Sithole and Mukamba either side of the break saw Zimbabwe getting a seemingly positive result from the away tie although their behaviour left a lot to desired.
Sithole struck in the 30th to even the scores after Botswana had taken lead through Kgololo Letane in the 14th minute.
The CAPS United forward equalised from spill by the goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe who failed to hold a long range attempt by Mukamba from a move that had been initiated by Joel Ngodzo.
Galabgwe Moyona beat Zimbabwe goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda but the flag was up for offside, however, Zimbabwe’s joy was short-lived as Moyona struck a fantastic in 34th minute to restore the hosts’ lead.
Zimbabwe struggled to keep possession especially in midfield where Joel Ngodzo unnecessary lost possession.
The Young Warriors’ probing paid off in the second half when the referee awarded them a penalty soon after the restart.
Dynamos midfielder Mukamba sent the Botswana goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot in the 47th minute.
Zimbabwe were spurred by a number of Zimbabwean fans who supported them.
Sithole could have thrust Zimbabwe into the lead but his head crashed against the cross bar as the Young Warriors came strongly into the game.
Charles Mutero made a timely intervention as Botswana came on an attack in the 65th minute before Ariel Sibanda
Devon Chafa could have done better in the 70th minute when he came on side but failed to control and wasted as the Zimbabwe fans cheered them on.
Gutu, in one of his best moves on the afternoon came on a run in the middle of the park and then squared for Mukamba who beat his marker but took long to shot at goal and spurned the offer.
Mukamba, who had turned a hero when he thrust Zimbabwe level, then turned into villain as he argued with the referee Prichatrd Nhleko had awarded a free-kick against Zimbabwe from inside the box.
It was just a show of ill-discipline from Mukamba who should know better than strongly remonstrating with the match officials.
Zimbabwe were to lose Gutu, deep in injury time after he was adjudged to have collided with Botswana goalkeeper.
During the heat of the moment and as Gutu pleaded his innocence, Mupandare also entered the field
After the match, Zimbabwe coach Friday Phiri was happy with the result but blasted the referee Nhleko who added more than 10 minutes of injury time
“We have got the two goals that are crucial but I think the referee helped Botswana into the game.
“The two goals we scored will put us at an advantage in the return leg in Harare.
“I think the return leg will be better because at least now we know how Botswana play,” said Phiri.
Botswana coach Daniel Nare said his side has a tall order in the return leg.
“I think it was good game but we only let in two soft goals and our goalkeeper should have done better.
“Even our defence reacted slowly.
“Its worrisome because we should have kept a clean sheet,” said Nare.
Zim team
A. Sibanda, O. Mwerahari, Q. Amin, L. Zvasiya, C. Mutero, D. Chafa, T. Mamvura, J. Ngodzo (M. Dumbura 81st min), A. Gutu, D. Mukamba, S. Sithole