Sports Correspondent
Zimbabwe produced a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat Sierra Leone 3-2 in their opening Group E match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in El Jadida, Morocco, on Thursday night.
The Warriors appeared to be heading for a disappointing start after falling two goals behind in the first half, but a spirited fightback inspired by vice-captain Marshall Munetsi turned the match on its head.
Sierra Leone took the lead in the seventh minute through Alie Conteh before Sallieu Tarawallie doubled the advantage in the 27th minute. The Leone Stars went into the break with a seemingly commanding 2-0 lead.
Zimbabwe, however, emerged from the interval with renewed purpose and eventually completed a dramatic comeback.
Munetsi pulled one back in the 72nd minute, giving the Warriors hope before Tawanda Chirewa levelled matters four minutes later.
With the match seemingly heading for a draw, Munetsi struck again in the 88th minute to complete his brace and give Zimbabwe all three points.
The result marked a winning start for new Warriors coach Ramón Catalá, who took charge of the national team ahead of the qualifiers. Catalá had warned before the match that Sierra Leone would provide a difficult test but said his players were determined to start the campaign positively.
The victory puts Zimbabwe on three points alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo at the top of Group E after the Congolese beat Equatorial Guinea 2-0 in Kinshasa in the other group match.
The Warriors will now return home for their second Group E assignment against DR Congo on September 28, while Sierra Leone travel to face Equatorial Guinea on the same day.
The top two teams in Group E will qualify for the 2027 AFCON finals, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 19 to July 17, 2027.
