Zimbabwe/Cameroon: Young warriors beat Cameroon

Zimbabwe Under-23 coach Callisto Pasuwa believes his side still needs to work hard to qualify for the All-Africa Games following a slender win against West African giants Cameroon in the first leg of the final round qualifier at Rufaro yesterday.

Young Warriors captain Wisdom Mutasa scored the only goal of the match in the 22nd minute as he led his troops from the front before the FC Platinum players fizzled out it the second half.

Pasuwa has been complaining about lack of support ahead of the match but was a relieved man after getting a positive result against the backdrop of poor preparations and the refusal by clubs to release the key players he had wanted to use for this match.

Nonetheless, the technical team was happy with the team's performance and are looking forward to maintaining the form in the return leg to book their place at this year's All-Africa Games set to take place in Congo Brazzaville.

"Definitely anything is possible. We can go there and get a result but it's the preparation now that counts most," said Pasuwa.

Mutasa gave the Young Warriors the advantage when he side-footed Zimbabwe's goal from close range after beating his marker to a low cross in the area by Blessing Moyo.

The FC Platinum man had a commanding show in the opening minutes and gave the small crowd at Rufaro something to cheer about with a good finish which went in via the upright post.

Hwange forward Pritchard Mpelele almost got a replica of the goal about two minutes later from a cross by Praise Tonha but his effort went just wide under challenge from the defenders.

Cameroon looked threatening going forward but they were always trying to shoot from a distance.