Warriors book dream Cosafa Cup final

Two first half goals by newboy Tendai Ndoro of Chicken Inn ensured a Zimbabwean victory and a place in the final against the same team they beat four years ago to claim their fourth title. On their part, the Zambians made it to the final after overcoming a third string South African side 5-3 on post match penalties.

Coincidentally, Zimbabwe were at home in 2009 when they met Zambia in that famous 3-1 win under Sunday Chidzambwa but this time it is the Zambians who are hosting the 14 team competition.

Against Lesotho, the Warriors had to come from behind after the Crocodiles had taken an early fourth minute lead through Mofolo Motlalepula. The win takes the Warriors’ record against Lesotho to 12 wins, three draws and one loss.

The only loss to Lesotho came courtesy of a 2-1 defeat at Barbourfields Stadium in a 2002 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier when Misheck Chidzambwa was coach of the team.

Coach Klaus Dieter Pagels has converted captain Masimba Mambare into a midfielder from a striker giving him a role alongside Devon Chafa and Ronald Chitiyo while at the same time pushing Charles Sibanda upfront to partner Ndoro.

Goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamupadengu, however, looked jittery failing to deal with harmless looking balls. If Lesotho had been more accurate at goal they could have capitalized on that especially in the second half.

The final against Zambia presents Pagels with the opportunity to depart Zimbabwe in glory. Pagels’ contract expires at the end of the month and the German mentor has revealed he will be going back home after the Zimbabwe Football Association decided not to renew his contract.

Prior to the Cosafa Castle Cup, Pagels had not won a competitive game in charge of the Warriors but reaching the final only is enough for the coach to leave Zimbabwe on a high note.

The Warriors are looking for an unprecedented fifth title having won the competition in 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2009 while Zambia are hoping to equal Zimbabwe’s record of four titles.