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IT’S all over for the Young Warriors.
The Zimbabwe Under-23 soccer team’s dre-am of making the finals of the 10th edition of the All-Africa Games went up in smoke yesterday despite edging neighbours South Africa in a Zone VI final qualifier, second leg encou-nter at Rufaro.

Friday Phiri’s men appeared overwhelmed by the stage and left it late to wake from their slumber.
Although Dynamos midfielder Archieford Gutu scored early into the second half to give the hosts a glimmer of hope, it was not enough to wipe out the 2-0 deficit the Young Warriors were carrying from the first leg in Johannesburg two weeks ago.

In the end the Young Warriors, touted as the “Golden Generation” choked and paid the price for giving the Baby Bafana too much respect in the opening period at Rufaro yesterday.
Even though they knew that they needed to score three clear goals to secure a ticket to the All-Africa Games in Mozambique, the Young Warriors were simply slow off the blocks yesterday.

But, to their credit, Phiri’s men played much better then their horrible show in Johannesburg.
A 2-0 triumph would have forced the tie to be decided by a penalty shootout lottery

The South Africans, despite putting up a subdued performance yesterday, walked off the pitch with their heads high as they won 2-1 on aggregate and will now represent Zone VI at the All Africa Games in Maputo from September 3-18.
South Africa Under-23 coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba, whose team is also still in the running for the London 2012 Olympic Games, was not pleased by yesterday’s show but was happy they are through to the finals of the All-Africa Games.

“We didn’t play as a team today. But I have always said if you want to become world champions you have to conquer the continent first and that is our dream for the All-Africa Games.
“Zimbabwe had a game plan and they never allowed us to play the ball. Whenever we were in possession they were all over us and they defended so well.
“It was not an easy game and that is why it is important to win by a good margin in the first leg. It proved to be crucial for us,” said Mashaba.

South Africa looked dangerous early in the game, using their flanks to their best advantage with wingbacks Doctor Mampuru and Sibusiso Mxoyana joining in the raids.
Goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda had to collect at the second attempt a header by striker Phumelele Bhengu after the visitors had won a free kick inside the Zimbabwe half in the 31st minute.
Bhengu also had another shot saved by Sibanda when he broke loose in the 67th minute after some sloppy defending by the hosts.

FC Platinum defender Lincolin Zvasiya did his best to keep Zimbabwe safe at the back but the home team lacked urgency going forward and did not create enough chances for strikers Simba Sithole and Donald Ngoma who were marooned in the opposition half, despite the pressing need for goals from the first whistle.

Zimbabwe’s first chance came from a counter-attack in the eighth minute when Sithole received the ball on the edge of the box and shook off his markers but his shot was palmed out for corner kick by goalkeeper

Boaleta Pule.
The Young Warriors struggled with their game as they lacked the spirit of adventure, choosing to be cautious for the most part of the game.
They played too deep in their half and were always second to the ball in the midfield although Mathew Rusike and Gutu executed their roles well before the former was forced out by injury in the 37th minute.

Gutu revived the Young Warriors’ slim hopes when he headed them into the lead from close range after getting to the end of a high ball flighted into the penalty area by right back Obey Mwerahari in the 47th minute.

But overrated Joel Ngodzo was, once again, anonymous on the right side of the midfield while Timire Mamvura played in flashes in the holding role.
Ngodzo was eventually substituted at the hour mark soon after he had made probably his meaningful contribution of the afternoon when he curled a cross into the area that was headed out by South Africa defender Wandisile Letlabika in the 59th minute.

His replacement Russel Madamombe, surprisingly chosen ahead of Abas Amidu, also failed to provide the spark, as the Young Warriors could not raise their game despite the changes.
But with time slipping away the Young Warriors made appeals for a penalty in the 63rd minute when Mampuru handled inside the box but Swaziland referee Nhleko Simanga waved play on amid protests from the Zimbabwe players.

South Africa defender Letlabika almost scored an own-goal in the 85th minute when he miscued his clearance over the crossbar from Madamombe’s cross from the left flank. United States-based forward Ntokozo Tshuma was introduced late in the 77th minute and showed great potential with the few touches he made as South Africa defended in numbers, to put the lid on a fairy tale run by the Zimbabweans, which included victories over Zambia and Botswana in the qualifiers.

Zimbabwe coach Phiri appeared distraught by the result and admitted South Africa played well in defence of their lead from the first leg.
“It’s unfortunate that we lost at the last hurdle.
“We played our game but the opposition was very tight. We couldn’t get the early goal that we needed in the first half and it’s sad,” said Phiri.

Mamelodi Sundowns striker Sithole who finished as the second leading scorer in the qualifiers with five said he was disappointed after failing to find the target.
“We were really determined to win this match, unfortunately the margin was not enough. I am upset because I think we deserved better playing at home. It happens in football,” said Sithole.

Teams:
Zimbabwe Under-23:
A Sibanda, O. Mwerahari, Q. Amini, T. Masika, L. Zvasiya, T. Mamvura, A. Gutu, J. Ngodzo (R. Madamombe 60th min), M. Rusike (H. Mavhundi 37th minute), S. Sithole, D. Ngoma (N. Tshuma)
South Africa Under-23
B. Pule, D. Mampuru, S. Mxoyana, T. Hltshwayo (W. Letlabika 57th min), E. Mathoho, T. Sangweni, S. Vilakazi, T. Zwane, B. Ndulula (D. Ndlovu 71st min), C. Flandorp (T. Motau 63rd min), P. Bhengu.