The Warriors hope for better after almost causing an upset in their first 2021 AFCON game.
Zimbabwe manager Norman Mapeza has said his players will work on their conversion rate ahead of their second Africa Cup of Nations match.
The Southern Africa outfit went toe-to-toe with AFCON favorites Senegal right until the dying moments of their Group B opener, when a late Sadio Mane penalty condemned them to a 1-0 defeat.
Zimbabwe’s best chances in the game involved counterattacking maneuvers and set-pieces. They almost got a goal as well, only for Knowledge Musona to tip the ball over the post. But like Senegal, they struggled to convert their chances and got just two of their 11 shots on target.
𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐌
Norman Mapeza's thoughts on the game against Senegal."I think we played very well. Nobody gave us a chance against a quality team like Senegal".
More https://t.co/f6Oqkl2yRT#Warriors #AFCON2021 #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/9bJJNcQjzH
— Zimbabwe Football Association (@online_zifa) January 11, 2022
What next for Zimbabwe?
Nonetheless, Mapeza was ‘proud’ of his side and stated they’ll work on their finishing ahead of Friday’s meeting with Malawi.
“We are just going to work on our conversion rate. I think we did a lot in the final third where we had some good opportunities. We also had some opportunities on set pieces,” said Mapeza in a message from the Zimbabwe Football Association.
“I am proud of my boys. We worked so hard. Our minds are now on the game against Malawi where I think we need to give our all so that we can get maximum points because I think if we can manage to get four points we will get to the round of 16.
“That is where much of our focus will be against Malawi.”
Malawi, like Zimbabwe, lost their first match 1-0 in Group D after Issiaga Sylla’s first-half goal sealed Guinea all three points.
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