Zimbabwe coach Kaitano Tembo has dismissed claims that his team showed too much respect to Nigeria during their 2-0 defeat in the Unity Cup semifinal at the Valley in London on Tuesday evening, insisting instead that his side failed to convert key opportunities. The Super Eagles, led by debutant Millwall winger Femi Azeez, advanced to the final after he scored a goal in each half to secure the victory. Nigeria will now face the winner of the other semifinal between Jamaica and India in the tournament’s final.
Tembo addressed the media after the match, emphasizing that his team did not approach the game with hesitation or deference to their opponents. He stated that both sides had their moments, but Nigeria’s ability to capitalize on theirs proved decisive. “Not necessarily. I don’t think we gave too much respect to the Nigerian side,” Tembo said. “Like I mentioned earlier, we had our moments and they had their moments. They also took advantage of their moments, and we didn’t do that.”
The Zimbabwean coach acknowledged that Nigeria maintained better ball control throughout the match, particularly during transitions. He admitted his team could have made more effective decisions when moving from defense to attack. “I thought they kept the ball a little bit better and longer than us. We could have done better in those moments, especially in transition, where we could have made better decisions and taken care of the ball,” he explained.
Tembo concluded that Nigeria’s clinical finishing was the defining factor in the outcome. He pointed out that Zimbabwe created chances that were not converted, while the Super Eagles remained sharp in front of goal. “That was the difference. The opponents took advantage of the chances they created, and they managed to score. We also had better opportunities that we could have taken advantage of, but we didn’t. So we need to try and make sure that we are more lethal in the final third and work a bit more on that.”
Zimbabwe entered the match with a strong recent record against Nigeria, having gone unbeaten in their previous three encounters, all of which ended in draws. Despite that history, the Warriors were unable to replicate their past performances in this high-stakes clash. The loss marks a setback for Zimbabwe’s campaign in the Unity Cup, while Nigeria continues its quest for a second consecutive title in the tournament.
With the final now set, Nigeria’s focus shifts to preparing for their next opponent, as they aim to defend their championship and extend their dominance in the competition.
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