Langton Nyakwenda in KAMPALA, Uganda
Zimbabwe……………………………………………….0
Cameroon……………………………………………….0
Zimbabwe refused to be bullied by five-time African champions Cameroon and even restricted the Central Africans to zero shots on target, in a Group J African Cup of Nations qualifier at Mandela National Stadium yesterday evening.
It was a game that the Warriors will feel they could have won, as they played more purposeful football than their more illustrious opponents.
With better finishing, Zimbabwe could have scored at least three goals.
The Warriors had 17 goal attempts against Cameroon’s 13 and also won more corner kicks than their opponents.
The major positive from this contest was that the Warriors kept a second clean sheet, after playing another goalless draw against Kenya on Friday.
Zimbabwe are now on two points from two matches, while Kenya, who beat Namibia 2-1 yesterday, top Group J with four points.
Cameroon have three points from their 1-0 win against Namibia in their opening game last weekend.
Zimbabwe coach Michael Nees said he was “super satisfied” with the performance although he is hoping for continuos improvement.
“It was a zero zero pf better quality, we did not sit back, our level of confidence on the ball was higher.
“We deserved a little more with better finishing.
“Tme will come when we will score,” said Nees.
Over 10 000 fans, mostly Ugandans who support Manchester United, packed the Stadium and chanted Cameroon keeper Andre Onana’s name throughout the match.
One fan had a placard inscribed: “Thank you Onana for visiting Uganda, we are Manchester United fans”
It was as if Zimbabwe were playing against the English giants.
Spurred on by the crowd, Cameroon started strongly, but Zmbabwe who were inspired by skipper Marshall Munetsi, did not panick.
Instead, they took the game to the Central Africans.
Zimbabwe created the first real chance after four minutes, when Khama Billliat dragged his effort across Onana’s goal after he was played through by Munetsi.
Douglas Mapfumo, who was the only change from the team that played Kenya, also had a good chance in the the first half.
Zimbabwe also fashioned out several chances in the second stanza, which the strikers failed to convert.
“Maybe it was about fatigue, maybe it was over excitement,” reckoned Nees.
“We worked a lot on our defence, we worked a lot on ball distribution.
“I am super satisfied with the performance, because we had such short time together.
“We must also respect Cameroon,they can score anytime.”
Zimbabwe are yet to concede in 180 minutes of action under the 59-year-old German coach.
What was supposed to be an Andre Onana turned out to be a Zimbabwe show as Billiat tormented the Cameroonians.
“That’s football, it was a good crowd, if a player cannot handle that pressure then you are not a player,” added Nees.
He thinks Zimbabwe can qualify but he wants to take it one step a time.
Nees made one change to the team that drew 0-0 against Kenya on Friday, bringing on Mapfumo for Tawanda Chirewa.
TEAMS
Zimbabwe
- Arubi, G. Murwira, M. Munetsi, K. Billiat, W. Musona (T. Chirewa 86), M. Garananga, A. Rinomhota, G. Takwara, D. Mapfumo (T. Hadebe 90 + 4), J. Zemura, P. Dube (O. Chirinda 78)
Cameroon
- Onana, C. Wooh, M. Ngadeu, T. Nouhou (G. Kilama 68), J. Tchatchoua, C. Baleba, Z. Anguissa (P. Kunde 68), M. Hongla (Y. Nemours 68), C. Bassogog (F. Magri 68) , B. Mbeumo, V. Aboubakar