BULAWAYO - Ian Gorowa, the Zimbabwe national football team coach, won his first home game since taking charge of the side after Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Mozambique in an international friendly at Barbourfields Stadium.
Gorowa had presided in over three previous home encounters which had all ended in draws against Mauritius, Mozambique and Zambia.
PARTY TIME: Zimbabwe goal scorer Ali Sadiki, left, is joined in celebration by Kuda Mahachi after netting the winner against Mozambique on Sunday. Picture: Auntony Zinyange
Dynamos striker Simba Sithole and Ali Sadiki were on target for Zimbabwe while the visitors got their consolation from the penalty spot through Albert Diogo Antonio.
Sithole opened the scoring on 10 minutes after latching on to a lofted pass by Wonder Kapinda and negotiating his way past Mambas left back Bernardo Benedito Germano to fire past the visitors goalkeeper Terroz Logomale Nelson.
Germano endured a torrid first half with Warriors right winger Silas Songani proving to be quite a handful for the Mozambican.
Mozambique were also strong on the right flank where Antonio was a constant threat throughout the first half.
It was from this flank that the visitors nearly got an equaliser on 25 minutes when giant defender Muchanga Francisco Lopes got to the end of a Mafuno Alanio Eugenio free kick but his header was off target.
Zimbabwe were denied a penalty by local referee Ruzive Ruzive three minutes later after a tackle from behind on Frankson Bushire by Mambas defender Francisco Mioche went unpunished and the Warriors were awarded a corner kick instead.
And from the resultant corner Ncube had the ball at the back of the net but his effort was disallowed by Ruzive for an infringement on the visitors' keeper Nelson.
Sithole tried to go it alone with ten minutes to go before halftime but his effort was way off target while Mozambique forward Eugenio forced a save from Zimbabwe keeper George Chigova just before the break following a quick counter attack.
The visitors levelled matters in the first minute of the second half when Antonio converted from the spot after Ruzive adjudged Warriors right back Kapinda to have fouled Mozambique forward Guambe Saddam Abdul.
The Mambas lifted their game in the second half with their skipper and anchorman Manhique Guilherme Lourenco outstanding.
Their dominance did not count for much though as they were not much of an attacking threat and instead it was Zimbabwe who nearly went ahead on 71 minutes but Kuda Mahachi wasted a good opportunity by shooting weakly at goal and his effort was blocked by Mioche.
The visitors further lost the plot by removing Antonio with 15 minutes left on the clock and this saw Zimbabwe regaining the upper hand.
Substitute Ali Sadiki then restored the hosts' lead on 76 minutes after finishing off a brilliant run by left back Ncube.
This lead could have been extended further with nine minutes to go but another substitute Bruce Kangwa selfishly shot over the bar instead of passing to a better positioned How Mine striker Simba Sithole who had replaced his Dynamos namesake on 77 minutes.
Teams
Zimbabwe: George Chigova, Wonder Kapinda, Milton Ncube, Themba Ndlovu, Felix Chindungwe, Danny Phiri, Nqobizitha Masuku, Silas Songani, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Frankson Bushire, Simba Sithole
Mozambique: Terroz Logomale Nelson, Pilale Ibramio Antonio, Muchanga Francisco Lopes, Mioche Francisco, Bernardo Benedito Germano, Alberto Diogo Antonio, Mafumo Alanio Euginio, Manhique Guilherme Lourenco, Guambo Saddam Abdul, Vetimane Manuel Zacaris, Antonio Belito