Zimbabwe striker Peter Ndlovu says fans back home can be proud of the departing Warriors’ first-ever showing in the African Cup of Nations.
Zimbabwe beat Algeria 2-1 in their final match on Tuesday, but finished last in Group C behind defending champion Cameroon, Algeria and four-time former champ Egypt.
”We’ve learned the hard way and, to be fair, I think we’ve done pretty well,” the Sheffield United striker said. ”People back home shouldn’t be too disappointed.”
Ndlovu, who joined English soccer in 1991 and has scored 103 goals, thinks Zimbabwe exceeded expectations.
He is confident the Warriors will be better prepared in 2006.
”We’re not too far away from the level we need to be at,” he said. ”If we can score three goals past Cameroon then that is a very good sign for us.”
Ndlovu scored twice in the 5-3 loss to the Indomitable Lions and once in the opening game, when he gave Zimbabwe the lead, before Egypt rallied and won 2-1.
Zimbabwe and Cameroon finished level top-scorers in Group C with six goals each. Ndlovu claimed three in three matches — two deft headers and one coolly taken penalty.
”I don’t think we can fault our performance. In fact, I give us full marks,” he said. ”The fact we finished top scorer in the group means that we have something about us. We can definitely cause teams problems.”
Ndlovu just missed an opportunity for his fourth goal of the tournament and a chance to pull level with Cameroon’s Patrick Mboma as the tournament’s leading scorer.
Clean through on goal, he was crudely pulled down by Algeria captain Brahim Zafour with only a few minutes remaining on Tuesday.
Had he scored, Algeria would have been eliminated on goal difference, and Egypt would have progressed.
”It’s up to the referee to use his discretion, but he [Zafour] was the last man, and he should have been sent off,” Ndlovu said.
”I don’t like to see a fellow pro red-carded, but he had to go.”
Now approaching veteran status, the 31-year-old born in Bulawayo, who has also played for Coventry City, Birmingham City and Huddersfield Town, hopes to lead his team out in 2006 — on one condition.
”If my legs are still up to it and going strong, I’d love to still be around,” he said. — Sapa-AP