HARARE - The Zimbabwe Under-23 football team survived three red cards in an ill-tempered match to draw with Botswana in the first leg of their All Africa Games qualifier yesterday.

Midfielders Denver Mukamba and Archieford Gutu, as well as manager Wellington Mupandare, were sent off as tempers boiled.

Mukamba and striker Simba Sithole grabbed the goals that give Zimbabwe a slight advantage in the second leg in Harare in a fortnight.

The lanky Mukamba was the first to be sent off at Molepolele Sports Complex when he emotionally protested an indirect free kick awarded to Botswana after goalkeeper Ariel  Sibanda was penalised for time-wasting.

Gutu followed in injury time after he was adjudged to have fouled the Botswan goalkeeper. Team manager Mupandare was then ejected from the Zimbabwe bench for persistently protesting.

The game started at a frenetic pace with the Young Zebras taking the game to the Zimbabweans.

The first goal attempt came in the fourth minute when Galabgwe Moyana shot straight into Sibanda’s hands. The hosts drew first blood when Penyo Molefe fired home after goalkeeper Sibanda had failed to deal with a low cross.

Zimbabwe equalised in the 30th minute through CAPS United striker Simba Sithole, who stabbed home a rebound after the Botswana goalkeeper parried a ferocious effort from the talented Mukamba, who was a constant threat to the home side.

Botswana restored the lead via a free kick awarded just outside the box, hammered home by Galabgwe Moyana.

Zimbabwe started the second half on a high.

A beautiful interchange of passes resulted in Joel Ngodzo firing a cracker, which was handled by a Botswana defender in the box.
Mukamba skilfully converted.

Zimbabwe’s defending was suspect in the second half, but still the Batswana failed to take full advantage.

On 82 minutes, Mukamba should have put Zimbabwe in front but delayed pulling the trigger after he was cleverly set up by Dynamos teammate Gutu.

The miss almost proved costly in the dying minutes, but Botswana’s dangerous Kgolo Leteane failed to connect with goalkeeper Sibanda nowhere in sight.

Zimbabwe team
Ariel Sibanda, Obey Mwerahari,Qadr Amin, Charles Mutero, Lincoln Zvasiya, Devon Chafa,Timire Mamvura, Archie Gutu, Joel Ngodzo (Malvern Dumbura 82 min) Denver Mukamba, Simba Sithole.