Zimbabwe battled back from two goals down to tie Benin 2-2 in Thursday's match. The comeback followed a costly error by veteran keeper Washington Arubi, who mishandled a back pass early on. This mistake gave Benin's Dokou Dodo the ball, who then set up Steve Mounie for an easy score just twelve minutes into the game. The Cheetahs pressed their advantage after taking the lead, attacking the Zimbabwe defense repeatedly.
Their pressure paid off at the 35-minute mark when Dokou Dodo finished a slick passing sequence inside the box, doubling Benin's lead. Zimbabwe refused to give up, cutting the deficit before halftime when captain Marshall Munetsi hammered home a shot after receiving Jordan Zemura's pass in the box. The Warriors headed to the break trailing 2-1 but showed signs of life during that first-half response.
Coach Michael Nees made a smart switch after halftime, pulling striker Prince Dube for Tawanda Chirewa. He also moved Knowledge Musona to the center-forward position. This change worked perfectly – Musona tied the game at the 59-minute mark by finishing off another Zemura assist from a free kick. Musona nearly put Zimbabwe ahead twenty minutes later off yet another cross from Zemura, but couldn't convert that chance.
Nees brought fresh legs during the final stretch, swapping Tawanda Maswanhise and Terrence Dzvukamanja for Musona and Khama Billiat with seven minutes left. Despite not scoring himself, Zemura starred as the standout player, creating both Zimbabwe goals with perfect assists. The tie leaves Zimbabwe at the bottom of Group C with just 3 points, as Benin climbs to first place with 8 points. Zimbabwe faces a crucial test Tuesday against Nigeria's Super Eagles at Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo.
Their pressure paid off at the 35-minute mark when Dokou Dodo finished a slick passing sequence inside the box, doubling Benin's lead. Zimbabwe refused to give up, cutting the deficit before halftime when captain Marshall Munetsi hammered home a shot after receiving Jordan Zemura's pass in the box. The Warriors headed to the break trailing 2-1 but showed signs of life during that first-half response.
Coach Michael Nees made a smart switch after halftime, pulling striker Prince Dube for Tawanda Chirewa. He also moved Knowledge Musona to the center-forward position. This change worked perfectly – Musona tied the game at the 59-minute mark by finishing off another Zemura assist from a free kick. Musona nearly put Zimbabwe ahead twenty minutes later off yet another cross from Zemura, but couldn't convert that chance.
Nees brought fresh legs during the final stretch, swapping Tawanda Maswanhise and Terrence Dzvukamanja for Musona and Khama Billiat with seven minutes left. Despite not scoring himself, Zemura starred as the standout player, creating both Zimbabwe goals with perfect assists. The tie leaves Zimbabwe at the bottom of Group C with just 3 points, as Benin climbs to first place with 8 points. Zimbabwe faces a crucial test Tuesday against Nigeria's Super Eagles at Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo.
