Determined Zimbabwe lose to talented Senegal

By Lance Guma
24 January 2006

For almost an hour on Monday the ‘Warriors’ of Zimbabwe were on the verge of pulling off an unlikely draw or perhaps even victory against the star-studded Senegalese ‘Lions of Teranga’. Despite a spirited display in their opening match of the African Nations Cup played in the El Masy stadium of Port Said, defensive lapses saw Zimbabwe concede two goals. It could have all been so different had Zimbabwe’s chief striker Benjani Mwaruwaru scored after out-muscling the Senegalese defence to come face to face with the keeper.

To his credit, Mwaruwaru, a record £4.1million signing for English premiership side Portsmouth, did everything right except get past Senegal keeper Tony Sylva. He scooped his shot over the bar with the keeper sprawling on the ground. The Zimbabweans were caught on the break after Rahmane Barry’s through ball found Wigan striker, Henri Camara who outpaced the Zimbabwean defence and then rounded goalkeeper Gift Muzadzi for the opening goal. It was a just reward for Camara who had earlier seen a legitimate goal disallowed for handball.

Camara came back to haunt Zimbabwe a few minutes later. He used sheer pace to beat two defenders and set up substitute Issa Ba for the second goal. Although Zimbabwe were the underdogs they certainly did not embarrass themselves. They frustrated Senegal for 60 minutes and showed through out the match that they have class players in Shingayi Kawondera, Benjani Mwaruwaru, Joel Lupahla and goalkeeper Gift Muzadzi.