Update : Zimbabwe annihilated 5 nil by Malawi (COSAFA U17)
As if losing to ‘minnows’ Mauritius 1 – 0 on 22 July was not enough, Zimbabwe’s U17 COSAFA side lost by five unanswered goals to Malawi. The loss means the young warriors now anchor group A with no win, and a goal difference of (-6).
The rout began in the 16th minute when Titani, the Malawi striker scored a great goal as he dribbled past two defenders before he riffled past the keeper.
Zimbabwe were defending for most of the half, as Malawi continued mounting pressure from multiple raids on the Zimbabwe goal.
The Zimbabwe coach, Moses Chunga, made drastic changes to the team, in hope of a miraculous turn-around to proceedings. The first substitution, on the 35th minute, saw Manyuchi replacing the ineffective English-Brown. On the 37th minute he took off Matika and brought on Gwasira.
The substitutions did not produce the desired results, as five minutes later, Monga scored Malawi’s second. It was a blistering shot that gave the keeper no chance of saving it.
It could have been three goals before half time if Prince had not missed an easy chance for Malawi. A fantastic one-two between him and Kadzongola was sent wide of the goal by Prince.
Malawi began the second half with attacking intent, and they were rewarded just two minutes from the restart. Maonga, this time, turned provider as he assisted Mbeta for Malawi’s third goal.
It was proving to be a tough outing for the young warriors, who had no answer for the overwhelming attacks by the young flames of Malawi.
It was all but over as a contest when Maonga scored his second of the match, and Malawi’s fourth. Zimbabwe had given up, and were making reckless tackles on their opponents. Bookings of note were Munopfukutwa on the 59th minute, and Gwasira on 70 minutes.
The five-nil victory was sealed in injury time when Mwaungulu scored with his first attempt on goal. Maonga was voted man of the match for Malawi, for his two goals and one assist.
BY Brian Gurupira.
