Warriors crash out of Cosafa cup despite promising...

Warriors crash out of Cosafa cup despite promising start

Philemon Jambaya

Assistant Editor

Zimbabwe's national team, the Warriors, suffered a shocking exit from the Cosafa Cup yesterday after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Kenya in their final group-stage match. This came despite leading the group with six points before the crucial final round.

The Warriors started strong, holding Kenya at bay in the first half. They even had opportunities to score, with McKinnon Mushore nearly finding Takunda Benhura with a dangerous cross in the 42nd minute.

However, the second half proved disastrous for Tapera's men. A defensive lapse allowed Kenyan forward Austine Otieno to break through and fire past goalkeeper Raphael Pitisi in the 53rd minute.

Zimbabwe struggled to respond. Substitute Michael Tapera's inviting cross found no takers, and a lapse in concentration from captain Godknows Murwira allowed Benson Ochieng to double Kenya's lead in the 73rd minute.

Despite throwing men forward in the closing stages, the Warriors couldn't find a breakthrough. Kenya defended resolutely, and Zimbabwe ultimately finished third in the group on goal difference, failing to qualify for the semifinals.

Jairosi Tapera, the Warriors' interim coach, expressed mixed emotions. "I can't say I'm proud of the six points," he admitted. "There was a chance to move forward."

However, Tapera praised his young players, many of whom were experiencing their first international competition. "I am proud of the performance of the boys," he said. "They showed a lot of skill and organization, and I feel they can graduate to the next level."

Looking ahead, Tapera believes this setback can be a learning experience. "Going forward, I am sure we will have a stable national team," he concluded