Zimbabwe’s World Cup qualification aspirations falter after drawing 2-2 with Benin, leaving them last in Group C. Key mistakes, particularly by goalkeeper Washington Arubi, led to early goals for Benin. The Warriors managed to come back but still face an uphill battle for qualification with an upcoming match against Nigeria.
Zimbabwe’s hopes for World Cup qualification have suffered a severe setback after a 2-2 draw with Benin at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. This result leaves Zimbabwe stranded at the bottom of Group C in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Goalkeeper Washington Arubi’s early blunder, occurring just 12 minutes into the match, allowed Benin to take the lead, which they extended to two goals just before halftime due to defensive lapses.
Although Zimbabwe began the match strongly, they were thwarted by their own mistakes. Arubi attempted a chip clearance that was intercepted by Benin’s Dodo Dokou, who set up an unmarked Steve Mounie for the opening goal. The second goal came from a well-executed attack by Benin, highlighting weaknesses in Zimbabwe’s defensive organization.
Following a challenging first half, Marshall Munetsi of Zimbabwe scored to pull his team back within one goal after being set up by Jordan Zemura. This goal reinvigorated the Warriors and led to an equalizer shortly thereafter, as Zemura’s free-kick found Knowledge Musona, whose low shot crept past goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou.
Despite their impressive comeback, Coach Michael Nees expressed concern about the physical toll this effort took on his team. He stated, “The character was good for the team. And the match was on the edge. We risked more and more for the longer it went. And of course, it could have gone either way, but we wanted to win. We tried everything, and I think we can go home with that feeling.”
The draw allowed Benin to maintain their lead in the group with eight points while Zimbabwe remains at three points after five matches. With their next match against Nigeria looming, a defeat would effectively eliminate Zimbabwe from qualifying for their first World Cup finals.
In summary, Zimbabwe’s 2-2 draw against Benin has significantly hindered their prospects for World Cup qualification, particularly due to defensive errors. Despite a solid second-half response, their position in Group C is precarious, requiring them to secure a win in their upcoming match against Nigeria to keep their hopes alive. Coach Michael Nees acknowledge the challenges his team faces but remains optimistic about their efforts.
Original Source: www.zimlive.com
