Brave Warriors loses  to Zimbabwe
The Brave Warriors failed to progress to the second round of CHANS after a narrow defeat to Zimbabwe at the Independence Stadium on Saturday.
The Warriors had the advantage coming to the return leg of their inaugural African Nations Championships Qualifier against neighbours Zimbabwe after a goalless draw in the first match in Harare a week ago.
Coach Arie Schans in his second game in first competitive match at home,  fielded the team eleven from the players that ply their trade in the local premiership, as per competition rules, but the players failed to live up to expectations.
The team however managed to keep the score goalless at half, after weathering a barrage of attacks by the Zimbabwean Warriors. Striking partners, Floris Diergaardt and Arend Von Stryk failed to effectively combine and the defensive unit marshalled by Captain Michael Pienaar was caught napping at times.
In the second half it was the visitors who got the all important goal with Clemence Matawu rising from the bench to head home, forcing the home team to panic as they had to score two to progress.
CHAN is a new continental tournament for players from domestic leagues only. The early stages of the competition are played on a regional basis and seven winners from the regional qualifiers will advance to the CHAN finals in the Ivory Coast in 2009.
Zimbabwe will face South Africa in the next round, and South African delegates were seen in the Director’s box assessing potential opponents.
The Brave Warriors will now have to shift focus onto the 2010 FIFA World Cup and CAF African Nations Cup qualifiers with their immediate challenge coming on May 31st against Kenya in Windhoek.