The Herald
By Augustine Hwata
4th March 2010
Zimbabwe (2) 2
Malawi (1) 1
Diminutive midfielder Tafadzwa Rusike played a big part in the Warriors’ first goal and then struck the winner as Zimbabwe came from behind to beat Malawi in an international friendly at Rufaro yesterday.
The CAPS United winger helped Zimbabwe to level the scores in the 17th minute when he blasted from a free-kick on the edge of the box following a retake.
Rusike’s initial effort was a curling shot that beat the Malawi wall, but goalkeeper Simplex Nthala had collected the ball.
But referee Ruzive Ruzive ordered a retake after adjudging that Malawi midfielder Dave Banda had moved from the wall before the kick was taken.
On the second attempt, Rusike hit a grounder that Tigers FC defender Grey Nyirenda deflected into his own goal and in the process deceived his goalkeeper who appeared to have the ball covered.
Earlier on, Malawi had stunned the small crowd at Rufaro when they surged into the lead in the 13th minute.
Hard-running striker Chikaiko Bridge drilled a cross from the right and the ball came to Noel Mkandawire who punished the hosts’ sloppy defending by shooting past big goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda.
Skipper Method Mwanjali and Gilbert Mapemba reacted slower than Escom United striker Mkanda-wire, who gave Sibanda no chance from close range.
Malawi’s goal had ignited celebrations from their small band of supporters, but the joy was shortlived as Nyirenda turned the ball into his own net in an attempt to clear.
The visitors thought that they had taken the lead again in the 19th minute when Mkandawire returned to haunt the Zimbabwe defence, but second assistant referee Stella Ruvinga had her flag up for offside by the time he struck.
The Flames players complained, but Ruzive stood by the decision.
Zimbabwe then took the lead when Rusike fired home what turned out to be the winner in the 25th minute. And what a beauty it was. Rusike took a high ball down with his chest and despite the presence of a Flames defender, he fired a low shot on the turn that goalkeeper Nthala never saw.
Impressive Kaizer Chiefs striker Knowledge Musona, playing his maiden game for the senior national team before a home crowd, manufactured that goal when he raced into the box and then struck a ferocious shot that Nyirenda had done well to block.
But the Malawi defence did not clear the ball far away from danger and it fell to Rusike who unleashed a fine shot to beat the Malawi Telecom Wanderers goalkeeper.
Malawi, who are ranked 82nd in the world according to the latest Fifa/Coca Cola rankings, were a threat to Zimbabwe in the 20th minute when Bridge tried a long-range attempt that called for an equally good serve from Sibanda.
Zimbabwe midfielder Ashley Rambanapasi, who had a fine afternoon, also packed a powerful shot from outside the box that summoned the best out of Nthala in the 23rd minute.
Debutant Farayi Vimisayi, who was struggling to get into the groove on the big stage, wasted a chance in the half-hour when he was slow to cross from the right and Malawi’s Harry Nyirenda pushed the effort out for a corner.
Gilbert Mapemba nearly created another goal out of nothing when he burst on the right, took possession and laid for Musona, whose first time effort was just tipped over by the goalkeeper.
It could have been an impressive first goal for the teenage sensation who once again caught the eye with his deft touches, vision and dribbling.
Musona, who made his Warriors debut in the 3-0 defeat by South Africa in Durban in January, almost set up Rusike for his second goal of the day with a cheeky back-heel pass but defender Maupo Kanyenda just managed to intercept it at the crucial moment.
Warriors’ coach Sunday Chidzambwa introduced Ramson Zhuwawo for Thabani Kamusoko and Richard Mteki for the nervy Vimisayi as the hosts seized control of the game.
The Warriors made a number of neat build-ups from the back with the promising combination of Musona and Rusike a joy to watch.
Malawi midfielder Dave Banda was impressive with his control of the ball and did most of the work for his team.
One of the most experienced players in the Flames team, having been at the African Nations Cup in Angola, Banda created numerous avenues when in possession.
Malawi did not despair despite being a goal down as Gastin Simukonda headed to Mkandawire, but Veremu made an intervention.
The Flames brought every man behind the ball, save for Mkandawire and Joel Chipofya, when under attack to consolidate the defence.
Yesterday’s win also served as a confidence booster for the Warriors who will face Swaziland in their 2011 African Championships of Nations first round qualifier in Mbabane on March 14.
The Warriors’ last three outings had ended in identical 3-0 defeats by Syria, Thailand and Bafana Bafana.
Chidzambwa said he had noted positives from the defeat against South Africa.
“It’s a good result that we have won but, more importantly, we played better than in the last game.
“However, I have noticed areas we need to work on like in defence.
“We gave the ball away too easily and failed to keep possession from midfield,” said Chidzambwa.
Malawi coach Kinnah Phiri said it was a good sparring by both teams.
“It was a good game for us and for Zimbabwe, too.
“I have brought young players and only Banda played in Angola. Some of them were playing forthe national team for the first time.
“This game will give us a better position to prepare for the next CHAN game,’’ Phiri said.
The Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture David Coltart, who was the guest of honour at yesterday’s game congratulated the Warriors for the win.
In his brief address to the players after the match, Coltart urged them to work hard to qualify for the Nations Cup and World Cup final as a routine.
He said Government was fully behind sport and called on transparency by football administrators to attract sponsors.
Teams:
Zimbabwe: E. Sibanda, G. Mapemba, G. Karimupfumbi, M. Mwanjali, D. Veremu, A. Rambanapasi (E. Meleka, 85th minute), T. Kamusoko (R. Zhuwawo, 48th minute), F. Vimisayi (R. Mteki, 50th minute), N. Mushekwi (C. Malajila), K. Musona, T. Rusike.
Malawi: Simplex Nthala, Harry Nyirenda, Grey Nyirenda, Maupo Msowoya, Chikumbutso Kanyenda, Davi Banda, Peter Mgandira (Limbikani Mzava, 61st min), Gastin Simukonda (Luka Milanzi, 70th min), Green Harawa (Pilira Mwehiwa, 44th minute), Noel Mkandawire (Blessing Tembo, 76th min), Chikaiko Bridge (Joel Chipofya, 52nd min).