Munetsi inspires Warriors to a heroic comeback vs Sierra Leone
Zimbabwe got their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign off to a dream start with a dramatic comeback, fighting from two goals down to beat Sierra Leone 3-2 on Thursday night in a Group E encounter.
It was a nightmare start for the Warriors. Alie Conteh silenced Zimbabwe at the Stade El Abdi in El Jadida, Morocco after just seven minutes, and when Sallieu Tarawallie made it 2-0 in the 27th minute, Zimbabwe looked down and out.
Ramon Catala’s side went into the break trailing 2-0 with a lot of work to do. But the second half was a completely different story, as the Spaniard got off to a winning start in his tenure.
MUNETSI INSPIRES WARRIORS’ COMEBACK STORY
The turnaround started with the introduction of winger Bill Antonio, before Marshall Munetsi gave Zimbabwe a lifeline in the 72nd minute, heading home a curling delivery from Tawanda Chirewa to make it 2-1.
The Warriors smelled blood, and four minutes later, Chirewa fired home the equaliser, a powerful left-footed strike from outside the box to make it 2-2.
With momentum on their side, Zimbabwe pushed for the winner and it came in the 88th minute. Munetsi again, the vice-captain leading by example, notched his second of the night to complete a remarkable turnaround, slotting home from Tawanda Maswanhise’s cross.
From 2-0 down to 3-2 winners, a real statement of character from Catala’s Warriors. Zimbabwe now shift focus to a massive home tie against DR Congo on September 28 at the National Sports Stadium in Harare.
DRC will be riding high themselves. The Leopards followed up their World Cup exploits with a 2-0 home win over Equatorial Guinea on the opening day of the qualifiers.
Captain Chancel Mbemba headed home the opener in the 4th minute, and Yoane Wissa added a second 18 minutes from time in Kinshasa, although the scoreline could have been more emphatic after they twice struck the woodwork and had two efforts ruled out for offside.
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