AFCON 2021: Zimbabwe Beat Guinea 2–1 in Group B, Warriors End Their Campaign in Style

• Zimbabwe ended their 2021 AFCON campaign in style when they beat Guinea in their Group B encounter
• Zimbabwe finished at the bottom of Group B despite their 2-1 win against the more fancied Guinea at AFCON 2021
• Guinea qualified for the round of 16 behind Senegal despite the loss to Zimbabwe in their Group B encounter

Zimbabwe went into their Group B clash with Guinea knowing that they would finish bottom of the group no matter what the outcome, but no one seemed to have told them that as they beat their more fancied opponents, 2-1.

Zimbabwe made nine changes to the team that lost to Malawi as coach Norman Mapeza decided to give everyone a chance to compete in the tournament.

Despite the numerous changes, the Warriors played like a team fighting for their place in the competition and took a 2-0 lead going into half-time.

Zimbabwe's captain for the day Knowledge Musona opened the scoring for Zimbabwe in the 26th minute, heading in from close range as he found himself free in the box. Three minutes later he had to be stretchered off after going down on his own. He valiantly played on after returning from treatment on the sidelines but was replaced at the half-time break.

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Zimbabwe extended their lead in the 43rd minute when Supersport United's Kudakwashe Mahachi produced a long-range shot that found the back of the net.

Guinea started the second half much stronger than their first-half performance and got off to the perfect start thanks to their captain Naby Keita.

The Liverpool playmaker cut in from the wing and unleashed a left-footed shot which Zimbabwe's keeper had no chance of stopping. The Zimbabwe defence was guilty of giving Keita too much space and he punished them for it.

Inspired by Keita's goal, Guinea came out fighting and peppered Zimbabwe's backline and keeper but to no avail.

Highly fatigued, Zimbabwe clung on to a spirited and famous win, their first at AFCON since 2006.

Guinea finished second in the group as a result of the defeat but still qualified for the round of 16. They will be without captain Naby Keita for that clash after he picked up a yellow card, his second of the tournament.

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AFCON 2021: Match Preview - Black Stars eye Comoros scalp for a place in last 16

In other AFCON news Four-time African Champions, Ghana, are on the brink of a shocking exit from the competition in Cameroon after a defeat and a draw in their opening two games, Sports Brief earlier reported.

However, a convincing win against Comoros Island, debutants at the competition, could hand the West African giants a lifeline. Andre Ayew will be hoping his fine streak of form for the Black Stars continues, having scored five of the last 13 goals scored by Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations.

His 18th minute opener against Gabon nearly secured the Black Stars all three points, until Jim Allevinah's 88th minute leveller. Ghana has conceded both goals in this year's World Cup in the final 10 minutes.