Zimbabwe’s ambitions for World Cup qualification took a hit with a 2-2 draw against Benin, leaving them at the bottom of Group C. Washingtom Arubi’s error and defensive miscommunication contributed to Benin’s early goals. Despite a resilient comeback, Zimbabwe remains with only three points and faces a must-win match against Nigeria next.
Zimbabwe’s World Cup qualification hopes are now severely hampered following a 2-2 draw with Benin in Group C, with the match occurring at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa. This disappointing outcome leaves Zimbabwe at the bottom of the group standings. The home venue in South Africa was necessitated by the unavailability of a FIFA-compliant stadium in Zimbabwe.
The match commenced poorly for Zimbabwe as goalkeeper Washingtom Arubi committed a significant error in the 12th minute, allowing Benin to score the opening goal. Miscommunication within the defense further exacerbated the situation, permitting Benin to extend their lead to two goals at the 35th minute with a header from Steve Mounie, resulting from Arubi’s failed clearance.
Despite being two goals down, Zimbabwe responded positively after Marshall Munetsi reduced the deficit with a powerful shot from inside the box just before halftime, capitalizing on a setup from Jordan Zemura. This goal injected new energy into the Warriors as they began the second half with renewed determination.
After a series of efforts, Zimbabwe equalized shortly before the hour mark through Knowledge Musona, who received a clever free-kick from Zemura and struck a low shot past Benin’s goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou. Following this comeback, Coach Michael Nees acknowledged the immense effort required to recover after trailing initially.
The draw increased Benin’s points to eight, while Zimbabwe remains stagnant at three points after five matches. The impending match against Nigeria is crucial, as another defeat would extinguish Zimbabwe’s chances of attaining their inaugural World Cup berth.
In conclusion, Zimbabwe’s struggle for World Cup qualification has been exacerbated by an inability to secure a win against Benin, leaving them at the bottom of Group C. The team’s defensive errors were costly, but they showcased resilience by equalizing in the match. However, their prospects of qualification hinge on the upcoming match against Nigeria. The challenge remains steep, with only three points secured thus far in the qualifiers.
Original Source: www.zimlive.com
