Warriors advance to group stage of World Cup Qualifiers

Zimbabwe progressed through to the next round of the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers after beating Somalia 3-1 to record a 3-2 aggregate win on Tuesday.

The Warriors got their goals late in the game from Marshall Munetsi, Knox Mutizwa and Khama Billiat while the visitors got the consolation from Abduli Mohammed.

Zimbabwe progressed through to the next round of the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers after beating Somalia 3-1 to record a 3-2 aggregate win on Tuesday.

The Warriors got their goals late in the game from Marshall Munetsi, Knox Mutizwa and Khama Billiat while the visitors got the consolation from Abdul Mohammed.

Despite controlling the opening of the game, the hosts only managed to create their first meaningful attempt at goal on the quarter-hour mark when Evan Rusike’s shot from a close range was tipped over.

They followed up with a couple of attacks but failed to execute them as the Somali goalkeeper stood his ground with the aid of his defence.

Ovidy Karuru had the best opportunity falling on his way towards the break, but his close-range strike in front of the goal was blocked by the keeper. Divine Lunga also got a good chance a few moments later but his first time shot inside the box went wide.

At the other end, the Ocean Stars never made any threatening raid with their only first-half chance coming in the 21st minute but the effort went wide.

Zimbabwe continued with their dominance in the second period, and again, they were failing to break the deadlock.

However, on minute 76, they finally found their breakthrough when Munetsi finished off a corner-kick with an acrobatic kick.

But the relief quickly faded away after Teenage Hadebe made a mistake at the back which resulted in a goal six minutes later.

The Warriors responded swiftly a minute later and restored their lead in the game when Mutizwa’s free-kick from the edge of the box took a deflection on its way to the back of the net.

The Golden Arrows man then set up Billiat in the added time who killed the contest by burying his effort into the top right corner.

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