Zimbabwe’s Warriors drew 2-2 with Benin after goalkeeper Washington Arubi’s error. Despite being down 2-1 at halftime, they equaled the score in the second half through Knowledge Musona. The draw leaves Zimbabwe at the bottom of Group C with three points.
Zimbabwe’s national football team, the Warriors, secured a 2-2 draw against Benin in the World Cup Qualifiers despite an early blunder by goalkeeper Washington Arubi. The mishap occurred in the 12th minute when Arubi miscontrolled a back pass, allowing Benin’s Dokou Dodo to assist Steve Mounie for the opening goal. Following this, Benin dominated the match and extended their lead in the 35th minute through Dodo, who capitalized on a series of effective team passes within the box.
Responding to the deficit, the Warriors managed to reduce the margin with a goal from captain Marshall Munetsi, who struck following a back-pass from Jordan Zemura. Entering halftime, Zimbabwe trailed 2-1, prompting coach Michael Nees to adjust his strategy by substituting striker Prince Dube for Tawanda Chirewa and shifting Knowledge Musona to a central forward position. This change proved effective, as Musona equalized in the 59th minute after receiving a short pass from Zemura following a free kick.
Although Musona had a chance to secure a lead for the Warriors, he was denied by Benin’s defense. In the latter stages, Nees made a double substitution, bringing in Tawanda Maswanhise and Terrence Dzvukamanja for Musona and Khama Billiat. Despite not scoring, Jordan Zemura was pivotal for Zimbabwe, delivering two assists that contributed significantly to the team’s performance. The draw places Zimbabwe at the bottom of Group C with three points, while Benin leads with eight points. The Warriors now look ahead to their crucial match against Nigeria on Tuesday at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria.
In summary, Zimbabwe’s draw against Benin reflects a resilient performance following an early setback. With a strategic shift in the second half, the Warriors managed to secure a vital point despite being placed last in their group. The upcoming match against Nigeria will be essential for Zimbabwe to improve their standing in the qualifiers, requiring both defensive consistency and goal-scoring efficiency.
Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com
