Mozambique triumph creates two CHAN records
Mozambique created two records and Zimbabwe surrendered one in 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifying this weekend. The Mozambican Mambas (Snakes) thumped Seychelles 4-0 on the Indian Ocean island in the second leg of a preliminary tie with the goals coming in a 31-minute first-half blitz. Luis, who grabbed a first-leg hat-trick during a 5-1 triumph two weeks ago, triggered the rout with a 14th-minute goal. Isac, Reginaldo and Reinildo -- all copying a Mozambican tradition of using football rather than real names -- were the other scorers. It was the biggest away win in a qualifier for a competition restricted to home-based footballers, bettering the 3-0 victory of Zimbabwe in Mauritius two years ago. The 9-1 aggregate margin was the widest for a two-leg tie, overtaking five-goal victories by Mozambique, also against Seychelles, and the Ivory Coast. While the Seychellois were underdogs against the Mozambicans, the heavy away and home losses came as a major blow to coach Ulrich Mathiot. After an encouraging recent regional championship campaign in which they conceded only two goals in three games, the Pirates have let in 13 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier and the two CHAN eliminators. Zimbabwe, who have qualified for the previous three African Nations Championship tournaments, drew 0-0 away to the Comoros Islands and advanced 2-0 on aggregate. The result ended a run of six consecutive away victories by the Warriors since qualifying began seven years ago, but they remain unbeaten with 10 wins, four draws and a 22-4 goal tally. Drawing in Moroni should not unduly upset Zimbabwe coach Callisto Pasuwa given that he has to constantly change his starting line-up as stars travel abroad for trials. Kenya failed to convert a second-half penalty and were eliminated after a 0-0 home draw with Ethiopia, having lost 2-0 away. Ali Abondo was the culprit with his weakly struck kick evading Ethiopian goalkeeper Tarik Getnet only to hit the base of the post after 64 minutes. The Kenyans also fluffed a first-leg penalty, leaving Scottish coach Bobby Williamson fuming. "Had we scored from those two penalties, we would have qualified," he said. "There was also not enough width to our attacks." Kenyan set-pieces were often woeful with corners overhit and free-kicks within scoring range lacking accuracy and power. Zambia squeezed past Namibia 6-5 on penalties after a 2-1 home win with Kondwani Mtongo converting what proved the decisive shootout kick. Tanzania held Uganda 1-1 in Kampala to regain some pride after a three-goal first-leg home mauling. John Bocco put the visitors ahead and Kerizon Kizito levelled. Burundi, Lesotho, Angola and Senegal also advanced to the first round of the region-based qualifiers, scheduled for October.
