The Warriors of Zimbabwe put in a brave performance but conceded a late penalty to Senegal to lose 1-0 in their CAF Africa Cup of Nations Group B opener on Monday.
Three South African based players started for the Warriors, SuperSport United’s Onismor Bhasera, JDR Stars’ Ishmael Wadi and Venda Football Academy’s Gerald Takwara.
Meanwhile the Senegal team were missing nine players, due to positive Covid-19 tests, but that did not stop the Lions of Teranga from dominating the opening proceedings.
Sadio Mane and co were tormenting the Zimbabwean defence, that included former Kaizer Chiefs centre back Teenage Hadebe, but Senegal would have been disappointed not to be testing the Zimbabwean goalkeeper Petros Mhari more, and he only had to make his first save midway through the first half.
Upfront for Zimbabwe was another former Chiefs player in Knowledge Musona, and the Warriors’ best chances in the first half fell to their captain, but he was off target on both occasions.
After a goalless first half, it was a similar situation in the second 45 as the Senegalese dominated possession.
It wasn’t all one-way traffic though, and Zimbabwe, buoyed on by their steady defence, had a few half-chances of their own.
And just as it looked to be heading to a draw, Senegal were awarded a penalty in the last minute of stoppage time, for a handball by Kelvin Madzongwe in the box.
Mane stepped up to take the penalty, and scored to break Zimbabwe’s hearts.
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