Cameroon . . . . . . . . . . (2) 1
Zimbabwe . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
THE Warriors were robbed of a point in their final Group J African Cup of Nations qualifier against Cameroon in Yaounde after referee Ahmed Arajiga wrongly chalked off what would have been a leveller with the last kick of the game.
A share of spoils would not have changed the log positions for both teams but Zimbabwe would have finished the qualifiers with an unbeaten record.
Both teams had already qualified for the finals next year and they went for each other to produce an entertaining match.
The two coaches named strong lineups to set up a thrilling tussle for top spot in the group.
Forcing a draw against the Indomitable Lions would have earned the Warriors valuable points on the Fifa World Rankings.
The rankings are important in the seedings for future tournaments including next year's Afcon finals.
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Cameroon raced into the lead with goals by captain Vincent Aboubakar who rifled home after 18 minutes before Georges N'koudou doubled the lead five minutes later.
Michael Nees' side got themselves back into the match through second half substitute Terrence Dzvukamanja supplied by Jordan Zemura who plays club football in the Serie A.
The same combination produced a second goal for Zimbabwe just before the final whistle but the referee from Tanzania made a mess of it blowing for offside.
Zimbabweans watching on television back home were anguished, as television replays showed that Zemura was wrongly flagged offside and the goal should have stood.
But at the end the fans were impressed by the way the Warriors fought back after going two goals down.
Dzvukamanja’s header crashed against the post while Khama Billiat miscued at the end of a Tawanda Maswanhise clever defence-splitting pass.
Billiat only had goalkeeper Andre Onana at his mercy, but the usually reliable veteran placed his shot wide in the first half.
He almost made up for that miss after spotting Onana off his line, but narrowly missed the target in the referee's optional time.
The hosts started like a house on fire and it looked like they were on their way to embarrassing their guests.
The forwards including Napoli's Frank Anguissa and Toulouse striker Frank Magri took turns to have a go at Zimbabwe goalie Washington Arubi, but often found the veteran unyeiding.
Cameroon had chances in the 28th and 32nd minute but were thwarted by the brilliant Arubi.
Cameroon enjoyed most of the ball in the first half and fashioned out more chances.
Zimbabwe went to the break with no shot on target while Cameroon had six.
They did, however, showed some glimpses of brilliance threading some neat passes together giving their hosts a bit of homework.
Nees introduced Dzvukamanja and Prince Dube replacing Maswanhise and Douglas Mapfumo just before the hour mark and the move worked well.
Now with the Afcon qualifiers dispensed of, the Warriors will shift focus to the Fifa World Cup qualifiers where their campaign is ailing as they sit at the bottom of the log with two points, five behind surprise leaders Rwanda.
All hope is that Nees can help the team breathe life back into their campaign.
Teams
Cameroon:
Onana, Wooh, Boyomo, Tolo, Tchatchoua, Anguissa, Hongla (Castelletto 78), Nkoudou, Magri (Soko 69) Bassagog (Neyou 70), Aboubaka (Moumi Ngamaleu 93).
Zimbabwe:
Arubi (G), Murwira (Machope 86), Lunga, Garan’anga, Hadebe, Nakamba (c), Rinomhota (Musona 74) Zemura, Billiat, Mapfumo (Dube 58), Maswanhise (Dzvukamanja 58)
