Norman Mapeza and Teenage Hadebe both saw red as the Warriors endured a disappointing 3-1 loss to Kenya in the final of the inaugural Four Nations tournament at Bingu Stadium in Malawi on Tuesday, March 26.
Zimbabwe initially seized an early advantage thanks to an own goal by Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu. However, Kenya’s captain Michael Olunga, who plies his trade as a striker for Qatar Stars League club Al-Duhail, turned the tables with a hat-trick on his 30th birthday.
Mapeza received a straight red card in the second half for confronting the referee in anger in the 50th minute, protesting after the Warriors were denied what they believed to be a clear penalty.
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Hadebe was sent off for a second bookable offense in the 56th minute, leaving both teams with ten players while the scoreline remained deadlocked at 1-1.
The Harambee Stars were also reduced to ten men after midfielder Richard Odada received a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Daniel Musendami in the 72nd minute.
Olunga equalized for Kenya with a header in first-half stoppage time, connecting brilliantly to Ayub Masika’s cross. The Haram.
Zimbabwe takes the 6-5 victory over Zambia in the penalty shootout.