By Tafadzwa Chigandiwa
Warriors head coach Zdravko Logarusic was left fuming yesterday afternoon, following a surprising last-minute defeat to Ethiopia during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group G qualifier at Bahir Dar International stadia.
Zimbabwe was handed an unexpected one nil defeat by the Walies of Ethiopia.
This came exactly four days after Logarusic’s men played to a much disappointing goalless draw at the National Sports Stadium when they hosted neighbours Bafana Bafana last Friday.
Nevertheless, yesterday the Warriors succumbed to a distressing stoppage time penalty, after Georgia based central defender Alec Mudimu was allegedly caught on the wrong side by Seychelles referee, Bernard Camille.
Mudimu was charged for a handball inside the box and this saw the Walies (Ethiopia) 30-year-old forward Aschalew Tamene making no mistake but to fire home from the penalty spot.
However, speaking to the media after the match, 57-year-old Croatian gaffer, Loga, dismissed the referee’s penalty decision.
He went on to express his grievances and blamed the referee for substandard officiating that resulted in poor decisions.
“It was a difficult game and at the end Ethiopia got the goal. We missed clear chances but a very crucial decision from the referee killed us.
“I couldn’t exactly see what happened, first he (referee) pretended as if nothing happened but after five to six seconds he then called for a penalty.
“Alec said he was outside the box and the ball hit his shoulder not his hand but anywhere that is what is there, we are now focused on the next game against Ghana,” Loga said.
Furthermore, the under-fire coach also pointed out that individual mistakes by his players might have contributed to his team’s defeat.
“Some individual mistakes by the players together with referee’s decisions costed us, we lost the game” he added.
Following the defeat, Zimbabwe are now placed bottom of Group G with one point after two games.
Neighbours Bafana Bafana moved to the summit of the log standings with four points in their pocket.
They beat fading African giants, Ghana by one goal to nil on Monday evening, thanks to Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s final minutes goal.
As it stands, Bafana Bafana are on top with four points then followed by Ghana and Ethiopia who are three points each and Zimbabwe anchor with a single point.
Exclusively, group winners will progress to the next and final round of the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
