Zimbabwe and Botswana were forced to share the spoils after playing out to a 0-0 draw in their opening 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group H match played at the National Sports Stadium on Friday night.
The Zebras were finding it hard to come out of their own half after 15 minutes as the Warriors pressurised them relentlessly in search of the opening goal.
Khama Billiat almost found the breakthrough in the 25th minute with a thunderous strike from 30 yards but it skimmed over the crossbar.
Andre Amrouche’s troops started to show up after 35 minutes but their final ball always let them down.
Thatayaone Ditlhokwe had a rare chance two minutes before halftime inside the box but his strike went wide.
The first stanza ended with both sides locked at 0-0.
There was a cause of concern for Zebras as goalkeeper Kobelo Ndambe struggled with crosses coming into the box, although the Warriors failed to take advantage.
Billiat and Mutizwa were linking far better in this half, with Thabani Kamusoko also brought on to add some fight upfront, but Warriors still battled to create clear chances.
When Mutizwa did send Kamukoso clear, Ndambe made a superb last-ditch challenge to deny the Belgium-based attacker.
At the other end, similar brilliance from Elvis Chipezeze stopped Ratanang Kaelo, from getting a shot away.
In the 76th minute, Knowledge Musona found Billiat with a raking pass, and he skipped inside but his shot flew well off target.
Still, Warriors battled to find a way through and Mutizwa was next to miss, heading Marvelous Nakamba’s cross. When Ndambe tipped over Teenage Hadembe’s effort in stoppage time, the last chance of the game had gone.
How they lined up;
Zimbabwe: Elvis Chipezeze, Knowledge Musona, Ian Samuel Nekati, Teenage Lingani Hadebe, Alec Takunda Mudimu, Tapiwa Ronald Pfumbidzai, Marshall Nyasha Munetsi, Marvelous Nakamba, Ovidy Obvious Karuru, Khama Billiat, Knox Mutizwa
Botswana: Kabelo Dambe, Mosha Gaolalwe, Semisane Mathumo, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe (C), Gape Gaogangwe, Onkarabile Ratanang, Kaelo Kgaswane, Tlhalefo Molebatsi, Mpho Kgaswane, Keagile Kobe, Kabelo Seakanyeng
Photo Credit: Supersport/ Backpage Pix
