HARARE – The Zimbabwe Senior Men’s football team fell 4-3 on penalties to Botswana in a 2023 Botswana Independence Cup clash Saturday to mark a false start to their hunt for lost pride in continental football.
The result was also an unfortunate losing start to new Warriors coach Baltemar Brito who took charge of the country’s most popular team last Thursday with limited time to prepare for competitive football.
Bulawayo Chiefs’ Obriel Chirinda put Zimbabwe ahead with a long-range effort after 66 minutes but the Warriors were never given time to enjoy their lead after Lemogang Maswena levelled the scores for Botswana a minute later.
Following the stalemate, Botswana scored four of their penalty kicks while Highlanders star Brighton Manhire and Bulawayo Chiefs’ Mthokozisi Msebe missed theirs to give the hosts a 4-3 win.
Brito said after the match that he was impressed with his charges adding that he did not know much about Botswana when they prepared for the clash.
The substantive Highlanders head coach was given the mantle by the Zifa Normalisation Committee with eyes on Zimbabwe’s preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign which starts this November.
His contract runs until July 2024.
