Zimbabwe thrash Mozambique 5-0

 

The Young Warriors, who meant business from the onset, bombarded their Mozambican counterparts from left, right and centre, but their last move lacked the killer instinct. Dribbling wizard, Tafazwa Rusike could have given Zimbabwe an early lead in the 5th minute when captain and Masvingo United utility player Ovidy Karuru set him up, but headed wide with the keeper to beat.

 

A brace by Darry Nyandoro, Tafadzwa Rusike and a goal each from Hardlife Mavundi and Ovidy Karuru were enough to give Zimbabwe a bright start in their 5-0 throbbing of hapless Mozambique, with the home fans singing songs in support of the Young Warriors.

 

But Zimbabwe strikers quickly made amendments in the 9th minute when Hardlife Mavundi rifled home from close range after some fanciful works on the right flank involving Karuru and Harry Nyandoro.

 

Before Mozambique could organise their defence, Zimbabwe hit again, this time through Nyandoro, who powered home a volley following some defence splitting pass from the industrious Karuru. Nyandoro grabbed the second goal in the 12th minute.

 

Zimbabwe haunted Mozambique once again in the Rusike hammered home from close range, with Karuru being the provider of the goal. In 15 minutes, Zimbabwe ad scored three goals. Nyandoro put his name in the score-sheet for the second time when he converted from an in-swinger by Karuru. Zimbabwe went to the break-time leading 4-0 before Karuru added the fifth one in the second half.

 

Earlier on Karuru had missed from the spot-kick after Fernando Ndlaze handled in the 12 yard box whilst under pressure from supe-substitute Nqobile Mpala. However, the captain of the day rectified his mistakes with a brilliant tap following some brilliant moves on the left flank involving Mpala, Mabeza and Thabani Kamusoro.

 

After five goal, it was Zimbabwe all over exchanging some beautiful passes, supporting man with the ball, opening up for the ball and some defence splitting passes from the midfielders of Karuru, Mabeza and Kamusoro.

 

Mozambique played their hearts out in the second half with Arlido Junior being the lone figure upfront. Junior could not get any complements from fellow front runners Eurico Mundulai, Eliso Tembe and substitute Dario Chissano.

 

After the match, Zimbabwe Coach, Mathembe Ndlovu, praise the players for playing according to the instructions.

 

My boys were very disciplined, and credit should go to them. Our players did well in getting behnd the ball, and this worked in our favour.

 

Well, my only worry is that we do not know anything about our next opponents on Monday, said Ndlovu.

 

The Mozambican assistant coach blamed the absence of five key players, who came without the Emergency Travelling Document (ETD). The five were refused play as they ad no proper identification documents. Zimbabwe are taking Comoros on Monday at Thulamahashe Stadium in Hazyview.

 

Mtach officials were drawn from various SADC countries with the referee J. Sikazwe from Zambia, 1st assistant Y. Anjith from South Africa, 2nd assistant A. Youssouf from Comoros whilst the match commissioner Sport Dlamini from Swaziland.

 

Meanwhile, Namibia hammered Seychelles 5-1 in another match played at KaBhokweni Stadium in KaBhokwena.

 

Line-ups:

ZIMBABWE:

K. Machakata, N. Soko, R. Mabeza, A. Raelo, A. Gutu, T. Kamusoro G. Goddard, D. Nyandoro (N. Mpala 69th), O. Karuru, H. Mavundi, T. Rusike (K. Musona 63rd).

MOZAMBIQUE:

S. Boa, P. Jose Malome, M. Domingos, H. Chavango, Z. Malungo (Jnr), F. Ndlaze, E. Tembe, A. Junior, E. Mundulai, J. Mazive (M. Sidart 32nd), M. Uetimane-CAJ News.