DRC 1-2 Zimbabwe

KINSHASA – Knowledge Musona scored Zimbabwe’s second before being sent off as the Warriors took control of Group G in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Saturday.

After the hosts dominated the early proceedings, coming close to breaking the deadline when Cedric Bakambu forced George Chigova to tip over, Ronald Pfumbidzayi thrust Zimbabwe ahead when he capitalised on DRC hesitation to clear a Khama Billiat’s freekick after 21 minutes.

The Bloemfontein Celtic man, who had never scored in national colours, hooked a loose ball with his left foot, driving it into the roof of the net.

Knox Mutizwa came agonisingly close to controlling a defence splitting pass that would have left him with the keeper to beat and Billiat tested their keeper from a free kick as Zimbabwe threatened before half time.

Zimbabwe, who handed Nottingham Forest right back Tendayi Darikwa his first start and cap, were forced to defend for long periods with the DRC dominant but failing to find a breakthrough.

Captain Musona, nicknamed the ‘Smiling Assasin’, doubled Zimbabwe’s lead against the run of play on 69 minutes, but picked up his second yellow card five minutes later. Suddenly, Zimbabwe went into panic mode.

The DRC piled on the pressure in search of a goal but through sheer luck and some resolute defensive work, Zimbabwe managed to repeal the attacks.

The Warriors would be denied a clean sheet however, as Yannick Bolasie nodded in in added time.

The win lifted Zimbabwe to seven points, three clear of the DRC and Congo Brazzaville in joint second with four points. Liberia, beaten 3-1 by Congo Brazzaville on Friday, anchor the group with just a point.

Zimbabwe will be without Musona on Tuesday when they host the DRC in Harare while Congo travel to Liberia.

Warriors XI: G. Chigova, T. Darikwa, R. Pfumbidzai, T. Hadebe, A. Mudimu, D. Phiri, M. Nakamba, T. Kutinyu, K. Musona, K. Billiat, K. Mutizwa

Substitutes: E. Sibanda, B. Madzokere, K. Moyo, M. Munetsi, O. Karuru, T. Dzukamanja, T. Chawapihwa