The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Sports Reporter
ALTHOUGH Zimbabwe finally managed to score a goal from open play during their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, they still failed to get maximum points as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Ethiopia in the final game at National Sports Stadium yesterday.
A first half Kuda Mahachi strike was not enough to secure the Warriors their first set of full points in Group G, as they amassed a paltry two points from a possible 18.
The results effectively consigned them to finishing bottom of the pile.
Zimbabwe were the only team in their pool without a win as the national team marked a new low in the competition.
Meanwhile, the national netball team – the Gems – yesterday also fell 47-44 to Botswana at the ongoing Africa Netball Cup in Windhoek, Namibia.
Their western neighbours, who are placed below them, made world rankings count for little with a dominant display.
This was Zimbabwe’s fourth defeat after going down to South Africa, Malawi and Uganda.
The Gems take on Kenya today in their last game of the tournament that ends tomorrow.
To provide the cheer on an otherwise gloomy weekend for Zimbabwe’s national teams, the 15s ruby side – the Sables – put up a stellar performance to defeat Brazil 24-22 in an inaugural encounter in Stellenbosch, South Africa yesterday.
This was a historic feat as test matches between teams from Africa and the Americas seldom take place.
Zimbabwe became the second African side after Kenya to overpower Brazil in a test match.
The Sables are the first of two African rivals The Tupis will face this month as the latter will also take on Kenya or Namibia in the quadrangular series.
