Highlanders rising star scores on debut as Warriors bury Zebras of Botswana
By Auther Chimbgwa
The Zimbabwe senior national team beat Botswana 3-0, with Highlanders rising star Mongameli Tshuma marking his Warriors debut with a goal in a Four Nations tournament semi=final played at the Obed Itani Chilume stadium, Francistown, Botswana Saturday night.
Tshuma struck in the 22nd minute to ignite a Warriors charge that would end in a 3-0 drubbing of the football minnows and bring relief to coach Marian ‘Mario’ Marinica who has not had the best of starts as Warriors boss.
Belgian-based winger Bill Antonio was the star of the show with two assists for Tshuma and English-based Macauley Bonne, capping his performance with a goal of his own in a dominant display by the Warriors.
In the second half, Zimbabwe managed the game off, ensuring that there was no threat from the Zebras to their goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze.
But Chipezeze had to stretch out every sinew to save a penalty conceded by defender Teenage Hadebe late into the clash to keep a clean sheet for the gallant Warriors.
Earlier on, Zambia beat a Kalisto Pasuwa-coached Malawi 9-8 on penalties in a match that had ended with the opponents tied at nil-all.
The Warriors will now play Chipolopolo in the final on Tuesday.
