Zimbabwe player ratings: Who impressed in the match vs Cameroon?

Alois Bunjira, Guest Reporter

After watching the match against Cameroon yesterday (Tuesday), I felt impressed and proud.

The team did well. Defensively we were solid. The two centre-backs were rock solid.

The fullbacks complimented them well and they kept their lines well and intact.

The midfield was also solid and disciplined.

Our passing game through the middle was fluid.

Marshall Munetsi and Andy Rinomhota were majestic.

Khama Billiat was outstanding.

It is in attack where I think we lacked a bit. That is the area that needs urgent attention and better combinations found or discovered.

Prince Dube and Walter Musona didn’t fire. They were not up to the level.

Douglas Mapfumo, although useful in parts, was largely anonymous.

Daniel Musendami and Tawanda Maswanhise could give us the pace, skill and guile that we may need, to spark the wide areas of our attack.

Surely, we could make do with Knowledge Musona upfront. Maybe one more call to The Smiling Assassin won’t hurt us.

I also thought we could have brought on Tawanda Chirewa much earlier, and probably Maswanhise and Musendami.

I didn’t really understand the Aubrey Chirinda introduction.

AFCON 2025 Q: Zimbabwe vs Cameroon player ratings

Washington Arubi was solid. His distribution improved drastically, from the first game. This time, Arubi was composed, and started play comfortably from the back, unlike the long kicks against Kenya. His positioning was spot on and collected some crosses comfortably. His best moment was when he cut off and collected a dangerous cut back. RATING : 9/10

Godknows Murwira had a slow start to the game. His bad first touch earlier in the game almost gave Cameroon an opening. But he gradually came alive and was rock solid. His composure with the ball is a huge advantage for the team at this level, where starting play from the back is important. Murwira didnt put a foot wrong in the second half and was majestic. RATING : 7/10

Jordan Zemura is comfortable on the ball. He had a great game yesterday, although he got caught out of positing a few times with Cameroon raiding us via his side. It was also probably because they didn’t compliment each other well with Walter Musona, when defending. Otherwise he had a great game and very useful for us when starting play from the back and very useful on the attack. RATING : 7/10

Gerald Takwara was rock solid. He timed his tackles well and made a lot of great interceptions. He has formed a great solid defensive pairing with Garanganga. Very comfortable with the ball when starting play from the back. RATING : 8/10

Munashe Garanganga, just like Takwara, was solid. We were assured at the back. Great composure, great tackles and competes well in the air as well. He gave us comfort and assurance at the back. Very comfortable with the ball at his feet and it made it easier to start play from the back. Great asset for Zimbabwe. RATING : 8/10

Marshall Munetsi had a great show in midfield. Strong in the tackles and always out to win the balls for Zimbabwe. Comfortable on the ball. A few times he still tried to overdo it though it got himself into trouble. He also gets into good scoring positions, which is a great plus. Great Captain’s job. RATING : 8/10

Andy Rinomhota was our flair player in midfield. He doesn’t shy away from the ball and is always available to receive balls from the defenders. An important player when we build play from the back. Rinomhota formed a great solid block with Marshal Munetsi in midfield, and a great individual performance. RATING : 8/10

Khama Billiat was at his usual best. He was undoubtedly our most creative player. He makes things happen. Almost scored with a brilliant curler, which was tipped over by Onana. We always anticipated good things whenever he was in possession of the ball. Billiat took care of set pieces well, although I think the free kick in the first half was better suited for Walter Musona. Great performance on the overall. RATING : 9/10

Prince Dube was overwhelmed by the game. I don’t know if it is about match fitness or that the level was a notch higher for him. He had a great moment to create something for Zimbabwe in the first half, with a lot of space infrastructure of him. But he opted to slide cross the ball much too early. The sliding was also not necessary. He didn’t have much impact on the game with the ball, although he did much tracking back and helping defensively. RATING : 5/10

Walter Musona didn’t sparkle in this game. The first half was better, taking a few good shots towards goal. Defensively I thought he didn’t compliment Zemura very well. In the second half he was anonymous, and probably tired. At one time Jordan Zemura carried the ball from the back, and went past him, while standing, instead of going together ahead of Zemura and overloading the right back. The pace of the game could have overwhelmed him. Otherwise, on his day, he is a great team player for the Warriors. RATING : 5/10

Douglas Mapfumo worked hard, keeping the Cameroon centre-backs on their toes. But in possession he didn’t give much. He probably needed to link up with the midfielders a bit more. Didn’t see him much on the ball. RATING : 6/10

AFCON 2025 Q: Zimbabwe vs Cameroon subs

Aubrey Chirinda came on and disappeared on the field. I didn’t see him. Difficult to rate, with the amount of time on the field.

Tawanda Chirewa came on late. He had a few touches on the ball and tried to conjure something. He was eager to show what he can do, but there was just not enough time. He probably could have been introduced a bit earlier.

I don’t know if Teenage Hadebe touched the ball. He was probably brought in to consolidate the draw. We managed.

On the overall, it was a great game for Zimbabwe.

Michael Nees showed that he has some great football in him to impart onto Zimbabwe. We are now expectant and hopeful for better days in the campaign. I still think we could have made better substitutions. I was however, impressed with the overall team play, especially the defensive team shape and starting play from the back. That was a great signature. RATING : 8/10

As we wait for the next back to back matches against Namibia next month. Will Knowledge Musona be back, by then?