By Jafferson Ndhlovu,
Zimbabwe national team thrashed hapless Seychelles 6-1 to book a place in the quarter finals of the 2017 Cosafa Cup.
The Warriors have had two successful poor Cosafa tournaments and were keen to amend those previous disappoints. They had to seek the expertise of veteran coach Sunday Chidzambwa who has lifted this particular tournament twice before. He is one of the three Zimbabwean coaches to have won the trophy. With a rarity in football following his family. The other two are his younger brother Misheck Chidzambwa and Charles Mhlauri.
The journey to meet Swaziland in quarter was not a guarantee even though Zimbabwe had led tgroup B from day one. A 4nil drubbing of Mozambique had set them well on course to wrap the group with a game to play. But Madagascar was did not come from the Islands to come enjoy the pastures of South Africa. They two were in it for the prize and put breaks in the Warriors surge.
First game against Mozambique hattrick hero and captain Ovidy Karuru was back on the hunt for his second hattrick in this tournament.
Karuru opened his account in the 23rd minute by hitting top of the net, three minutes later he was back on the scoreboard with another sensational strike. And the Warriors never looked back.
Zimbabwe was all over Seychelles and outplayed them in virtually all departments. Though the goalkeeper was a big saviour to keep the scoreline decent going into halftime. With Zimbabwe leading 2nil.
Highlander FC midfielder was on his debut for the national and registered his debut goal too. He rounded off the goalie to score from a very tight angle on the 55th minute mark.
Hattrick boy Karuru was always on the search and in the 66th minute he capped his third goal. And marking four zero.
Ocean Mushure who scored a brilliant free kick in the first game seemingly is making it a habit. Whenever his captain scores a hattrick, he comes in scoring a free kick and he did that once again. Making 5-0 for Zimbabwe in the 86th minute.
A minute into injury time Mashure added a second for the day and Zimbabwe was registering their tenth goal without conceding in three matches.
On Sunday Zimbabwe take on Swaziland as they won group B on superior goal tally. Madagascar had beaten Mozambique 4-1 in another match played simultaneously in group B.
