A Sadio Mane penalty seven minutes into added time enabled lacklustre Senegal to beat Zimbabwe 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations Group B opener.
Defeat was harsh on Zimbabwe, who made one of the tournament favourites look distinctly ordinary in Bafoussam.
Commenting on social media, a number of Zimbabweans were heartbroken with the last minute defeat.
“Has to be the unluckiest nation on earth, you can almost sense that something unfortunate will happen, same old so near yet so far scenario. Players and coach did their part, lady luck didn’t.
“Stopped watching on the stroke of halftime, felt the same chills from the 91st minute, tough luck,” said Terrence Mutukwa.
“Gutted. With seconds to earn a point the team was just supposed to keep possession!
Cruel end but we paid for defending 90 mins!,” said Panashe Gwatidzo.
“We were clearly robbed. It’s tragic. We will improve. We showed that we can play amongst the best and not be bullied. Proud of that performance.
“Kudos to Mapeza. What a coach!,” said Ronald Mukoko.
“It’s a cruel ending mukoma but dont tell me you expected a different outcome. This is how it always happens. Sometimes growing up ma warriors would even be leading 2 nil but kuma dying minutes uko mashura always happen. The team is cursed,” said Charity Simango.
“Disappointed with the result. Proud of the performance. Well done boys. We need to be ruthless in front of goal,” said Kudakwashe Saruchera.
“Tashurigwa na Mudha who was fired when the game was on. They could not hold on the firing here,” said Tapiwa Taivavashe.
Zimbabwe were seconds away from keeping their first clean sheet at the Nations Cup, at the 13th attempt, only to be undone when Guatemalan referee Mario Escobar pointed to the spot, with the video assistant referee backing his on-field decision.
Sadio Mane made no mistake from the spot for Senegal. Zimbabwe face Malawi in their next game on Friday hoping to collect maximum points and keep their campaign alive.
