The Sunday News
Tinashe Kusema Harare Bureau
Zimbabwe …………………………………………….… (13) 19
Tunisia …………………………………………………….… (3) 8
The job half done!
That was the big story coming out of Zimbabwe’s 19-8 victory over Tunisia in their Africa Cup group A1 encounter played at Prince Edward High School yesterday.
The win all but ensured the Sables stay in the elite Africa A1 group but more importantly it means that next month’s finale against Namibia will be a winner takes all affair.
Tunisia has been relegated.
Namibia are no walk over but gaffer Cyprian Mandenge can take comfort from his charges’ performance yesterday, which was a much improved effort from their shoddy 28-20 victory over Kenya last month.
Much like the game against Kenya, the Sables dominated the first half with Zimbabwe’s line defending well again.
Fly-half Tich Makwanya once again had an outstanding day with the boot, though it appears that Mandenge is still not yet sure who owns that position, as the Old Hararians skipper switched again with Lenience Tambwera in the second half.
Two penalties from Makwanya and Tunisia’s full back Chams Eddin Khalifa characterized the opening ten minutes, but the game then turned nasty courtesy of the North Africans theatrics.
First, their backs were often found on the wrong side of the referee because of kindergarten offences and picking unnecessary fights and scuffles.
Their eighth-man Khafouss Salem was then given yellow card and sent to the sin for foul play.
Tragedy then struck when Zimbabwe’s flank Norman Mukondiwa’s three-year comeback was cut short when he was the victim of a crude tackle in the 20th minute.
The 33-year-old suffered a concussion.
His replacement Fortune Chipendu then gave the home side the advantage when he got onto the end of a telling pass from Zimbabwe’s line, inside Tunisia’s 22, and planted the ball in the middle.
