Sports Writer
Equatorial Guinea 0-0 Zimbabwe
NELSON Chadya produced a match of the match performance for Zimbabwe as the Warriors put on a defensive masterclass to earn a point away against Equatorial Guinea at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon.
The Scottland goalkeeper was one of the five changes to the starting 11 made by coach Ramon Catala.
He came in for the lethargic Elvis Chipezeze who was not called to the squad for this match.
Chadya seized the opportunity with both hands as he denied the Red Devils with a sterling second half performance.
With both teams on three points, and set to face off in the return leg in Harare on Monday, the hosts were desperate to pick maximum points.
But Chadya was more than equal to the task as he pulled off save after save to keep the score board level.
However, the major talking point was Marshall Munetsi’s timely interception in added time to deny the Guinea striker a clear chance at goal.
The Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder who had a quiet second half by his standards made a timely intervention to keep the Warriors in the match.
He stretched his leg to block a dinked pass destined for the hosts’ striker who was ready to pull the trigger.
That moment of brilliance by Munetsi probably stole the thunder from Chadya as the warriors took a precious point away from home.
The result means Zimbabwe remains second in Group E with four points behind DRC who have nine points after beating Sierra Leone 3-1.
Zimbabwe can put themselves in good stead for qualification with a win against Equatorial Guinea on Monday afternoon at the National Sports Stadium.
