Warriors head coach Roman Catala has attributed the Warriors’ 2-1 defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifier to limited preparation time.
Zimbabwe suffered a setback in their Group E campaign after falling to DRC at the National Sports Stadium on Monday, leaving the visitors top of the group on six points. The Warriors remain second on three points, ahead of Equatorial Guinea on goal difference, while Sierra Leone are bottom without a point.
DRC dominated the opening stages and took the lead in the 30th minute after Zimbabwe goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze failed to deal with a high ball, allowing Yoane Wissa to pounce on the loose ball.
The Warriors responded with several opportunities but were unable to find the back of the net.
Thando Ngwenya and Tawanda Chirewa were denied by a fine double save, while Marshall Munetsi saw a header cleared off the line.
Chirewa also tested the Congolese goalkeeper with a long-range effort shortly before half-time, but Zimbabwe’s missed chances proved costly.
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DRC doubled their advantage just before the break when Wissa turned provider, threading a pass through for Samuel Moutoussamy, who calmly finished to make it 2-0.
Zimbabwe improved after the interval, particularly following the introduction of Daniel Msendami, Emmanuel Jalai, Divine Lunga and Sean Fusire. However, DRC remained dangerous, with Wissa hitting the post in the 60th minute.
The Warriors eventually pulled one back in stoppage time when Munetsi headed home from a corner. The goal was his third of the qualifying campaign, but Zimbabwe could not find an equaliser before the final whistle.
Speaking after the match, Catala said the short preparation period had made it difficult for Zimbabwe to match a DRC side that has been together for several years.
“It's difficult because they have been playing together for five years, while we only had one week to fully prepare for them,” Catala said.
The Zimbabwe coach nevertheless praised his players for their performance and rued their failure to convert the chances they created.
“We performed well, but it wasn't our lucky day. We failed to finish the chances we created. We could have made it,” he added.
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