NO WAY THROUGH . . . Zimbabwe midfielder Kuda Mahachi is sent sprawling onto the ground after trying to work his way past two Burkinabe
CAPE TOWN. — The Zimbabwe Warriors made history last night when they became the first national football team to qualify for the quarter-finals of a continental club tournament after squeezing into the last eight of the 2014 CHAN finals. Ian “Dibango” Gorowa also wrote his name into the history books of local football when he became the first coach to guide the Warriors beyond the group stages of a continental tournament.
Needing a win to seal their fate, the Warriors were indebted to Masimba Mambare’s solitary strike which gave them a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso at Athlone last night and a place in the quarter-finals.
Zimbabwe ended with the same number of points as group winners, Morroco (five), but lost out in the race for pole position on an inferior goal difference.
But there was a good prize for finishing second as it means that the Warriors will avoid the dangerous Nigerians, who crushed Bafana Bafana in their final group match, and will take on Mali in the quarter-finals.
Southern Africa’s hopes were pinned on Zimbabwe with South Africa and Mozambique knocked out after failing to progress from Group A.
Bassirou Ouedraogo continued up front for the Stallions while exciting youngster Eric Traore started on the right side of midfield.
Simba Sithole of How Mine spearheaded Zimbabwe’s attack, with the notable Peter Moyo, who was tireless in midfield although guilty of missing several good chances for the Warriors to kill off the match, occupying the playmaker role.
Zimbabwe seemed to take well to the windy conditions which welcomed the players out on the pitch, as they looked threatening from the onset.
First Mohamed Kabore was forced into a fine stop from a powerful free-kick from range in the fifth minute before Peter Moyo sent a thundering effort high and wide.
The Warriors continued to look the more dangerous, but the Stallions defence held firm, much to the frustration of the strong Zimbabwe following who gathered in the stands.
Burkina Faso first chance fell to the feet of Ouedraogo who shot just wide from close range in the 24th minute.
The game started to tighten up as the half drew on, with the Stallions to their credit, starting to look the more likely to open the scoring.
Alassane Sango forced George Chigova into a good save in the 41st minute, the Warriors shot stopper who had yet to concede a goal in the tournament leading up to the game, directed Sango’s effort away from danger with distinction.
It was goalless at the break.
But Athlone erupted in the 56th minute. Kabore seemed to have a hopeful ball from the left flank covered but Masimba Mambare snuck in front of the Stallions keeper before nodding in from close range.
Zimbabwe continued to look dangerous, especially on the counter, the Stallions though still posed a threat but when they did manage a shot at goal the impressive Chigova was up to the task in goal.
There were two good chances for Moyo to put the game to bed but he missed both opportunities as he fired high and wide on the two occasions.
Kuda Mahachi nearly made it 2-0, in time added on, when he controlled a pass well in the box but his firm volley was expertly saved by Kabore.
The Warriors held on to book their place in the knockout stage alongside Morocco who beat Uganda 3-1 in the other Group B encounter.
Teams
Burkina Faso: M Kabore, Sango Dayo, Kone, Gouo, To (Sanou 73’), Zoungrana, S. Traore (Tiendrebeogo 78’), Y. Kabore, E. Traore, Ouedraogo
Zimbabwe: Chigova; Zvirekwi, Ncube, Jaure, Chipeta, Phiri, Mambare, C.Sibande (Muparati 71’), P,Moyo (Machapa 90’), Mahachi, S. Sithole (SN. Sithole 60’) — Sports Reporter/BackPageText