Fans praise Chadya as Warriors hold Red Devils in Yaoundé
Zimbabwe earned a hard fought 0-0 draw against Equatorial Guinea away in a Group E match played in Yaounde, Cameroon on Thursday evening, in a result that keeps the Warriors firmly in the hunt for qualification for Pamoja 2027.
The point sees the Warriors remain in second place ahead of their return fixture against the same opponent on Monday, where a win will consolidate that second place and strengthen their qualification push.
It was not a classic, but it was a point earned the hard way, on the road, against a side desperate to protect its own ambitions in a tight group.
Zimbabwe now have four points from three matches, having won against Sierra Leone 3-2, lost to DR Congo 1-2, and drawn 0-0 with Equatorial Guinea.
DR Congo lead Group E with nine points from three matches, while Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea both sit on four points, with Sierra Leone bottom on zero points after three straight defeats.
Jordan Zemura during yesterday’s game against Equatorial Guinea. Picture by ZIFA
The table tells the story of Thursday night, because a defeat would have handed Equatorial Guinea the advantage, while a draw keeps Zimbabwe in control of their own destiny before the return leg.
Soon after the Zimbabwe Football Association posted the full time result on its official Facebook page, fans flooded the comments to voice their satisfaction, their relief, and their frustrations.
Special mention went to goalkeeper Nelson Chadya, who had a brilliant evening between the posts and was arguably the man of the match as he kept the marauding Red Devils at bay with a series of key saves.
“Brilliant from Chadya,” wrote Panashe Kamutsamombe.
“Chadya man of the match,” wrote Natalie Shonhiwa.
“Goalkeeper saves the day,” wrote Michael Machaka.
“Chadya to the rescue,” wrote Kudzanai Mtizwa.
“Chadya the only positive ha rimwe team,” wrote Tatenda Mazhindu.
“Chadya huchi for the first time in history we all going to say thank you goal keeper tanga tanzwa,” wrote Tevin P Chiyangwa.
“Goalkeeper uyo mupei kokakora ndozobhadara,” wrote Matizha Gamuchirai.
Defender Kevin Moyo also earned praise for a solid display at the back, keeping the hosts at bay with a disciplined and committed performance.
“Thank you Warriors, you fought well as a team, thanks to the Goalkeeper,” wrote Raymore Masasi.
But not every reaction was celebratory, because some fans were not pleased by striker Tino Kadewere, whom they thought should have buried the chance that came his way in the 75th minute but fluffed it.
Another fan questioned the game plan on a neutral venue, asking who Zimbabwe were expecting to score for them, and arguing that Equatorial Guinea had no home advantage over the Warriors.
“Guys we were on a neutral venue, Equatorial Guinea had no home advantage over us,” wrote Kelvin Kagondo.
The message from the fans is clear, the point in Yaounde was valuable, the defence stood tall, Chadya stood tallest, but the attack must be sharper when the two sides meet again on Monday.
A win on Monday will consolidate second place, keep the Warriors on course for Pamoja 2027, and turn a hard -fought away point into a statement of intent.
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