Somalia stun Billiat-less Zimbabwe

Thursday Sep 05, 2019. 19:15

Somalia stunned Zimbabwe 1-0 in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF) first-round first-leg match on Thursday afternoon.

The Ocean Stars had decided to host the Warriors at the El Hadj Hassan Gouled Aptidon Stadium in Djibouti due to security concerns from the ongoing civil war in Somalia.

Zimbabwe went into the encounter as clear favourites to win the match after participating in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Egypt.

However, the visitors were without their star player Khama Billiat, who missed the match due to an injury.

They looked to South Africa-based duo of Kudakwashe Mahachi and Evans Rusikwe, but the two attackers could not find the back of the net in the first-half.

Knox Mutizwa was introduced in the second-half as Zimbabwe searched for the opening goal against Somalia.

However, it was the hosts, who hit the back of the net through Anwar Sidali Shakunda’s late headed goal with four minutes left.

The goal sealed Somalia’s surprise 1-0 victory over Zimbabwe on the day with the second-leg clash set to be played at the Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on Sunday.