Zimbabwe coach Kaitano Tembo has attributed his team’s 2-0 defeat to Nigeria in the Unity Cup to poor finishing and bad decision-making at critical moments of the game.
The Warriors and the Super Eagles opened the tournament at The Valley on Tuesday in what turned out to be a far more competitive contest than the scoreline suggested.
Despite Chelle fielding a largely experimental side packed with debutants, Nigeria still had too much quality when it mattered.
Nigeria took the lead as early as the sixth minute through debutant Femi Azeez before the Millwall winger added a second in the second half to seal the result.
Yet Zimbabwe were not without their moments they finished the game with 54 per cent possession, eight shots to Nigeria’s four, and five corner kicks compared to Nigeria’s none. The numbers underlined a familiar story of opportunities spurned.
Tembo acknowledged his players had chances but admitted the Super Eagles were simply more clinical.