Zambia…0

Zimbabwe…0

A ZIMBABWE developmental side held the Zambian national soccer team to a goalless draw in a lukewarm international friendly match played at Woodlands Stadium in the capital, Lusaka, yesterday.

The Warriors side, which comprised locally-based players who are expected to form the foundation of the future senior national side, frustrated the hosts with a disciplined defensive play.

The first half saw the Zambian duo of strikers Francis Kombe and Ignatius Lwipa failing to breach the well-marshalled backline that had the likes of Zephania Ngodzo and Gilbert Banda.

It was Chipolopolo, as the Zambian team is affectionately known, that first settled down with dangerman Moffat Mtonga and Lwipa, testing Zimbabwean goalkeeper Washington Arubi.

Arubi, who started ahead of Masvingo United goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube, was forced to tip a ball over the bar in 18th minute after a well-taken volley from debutant Mtonga.

But Zimbabwe woke up from their slumber with Johannes Ngodzo and Mtshumayeli Moyo controlling the middle of the park.

Moroka Swallows-bound striker Evans Gwekwerere, who was playing despite a nagging ankle injury and the out-of-sorts Philip Marufu, both failed to produce the magic to beat impressive Zambian goalie George Kolala.

In the second half, coach Charles Mhlauri introduced Vusa Nyoni for nimble-footed Johannes Ngodzo while Moyo was substituted to pave way for Dynamos’ Justice Majabvi in the 66th minute. The two, however, failed to up the game, forcing the Warriors to use high balls as they sought to provide the ball-thirsty Gwekwerere.

Both Marufu and Gwekwerere were later substituted, to make way for promising striker Heavens Chinyama, and hard-running Quincy Antipas who immediately made his presence felt.

In the 79th minute, Chinyama failed to connect with his head from just inside the box after he was neatly set-up by Antipas. In injury time, Antipas sent a low cross from the left but Majabvi shot off-target with the Zambian keeper clearly out of position.

After the game, Mhlauri said: "I am using the local players as a developmental side as part of preparations for this year’s Cosafa Castle Cup semi-finals and the 2008 African Cup of Nations qualifiers."

His counterpart, Patrick Phiri, said: "I was impressed by Zimbabwe’s defence. My team, which will be playing Malawi in a Cosafa mini-tournament in Namibia next weekend, still needs to do much in front of goal."