Warriors midfielder Marvelous Nakamba has apologised to the nation after a costly mistake in Zimbabwe’s Group B AFCON clash against South Africa on Monday.
Nakamba conceded a late penalty while the Warriors were locked at 2–2 with Bafana Bafana, a moment that proved decisive in the tightly contested encounter.
Nakamba takes responsibility for a costly moment
Zimbabwe had fought back strongly to stay level against their southern neighbours, showing resilience and discipline for much of the match.
However, Nakamba’s handball inside the box handed South Africa a crucial opportunity from the spot, shifting the momentum at a critical stage.
Oswin Apollis converted from the spot making the final score line 3-2 in favor of Bafana Bafana.
Speaking after the match, the experienced midfielder did not shy away from responsibility and offered a heartfelt apology.
“I am sorry to my country, to my teammates and to everyone in Zimbabwe. It’s life, we lose as a team and hopefully we will soldier on and learn from the mistakes. It’s part of life,” Nakamba said.
Reactions to Nakamba’s handball
The incident sparked mixed reactions on social media, with many Zimbabwean fans expressing frustration over the handball, while others rallied behind Nakamba.
Some supporters labelled the moment unfortunate rather than careless, urging fans not to single out one player for a team setback.
Others praised the midfielder for owning up to his mistake publicly, saying his apology showed leadership and accountability in a high-pressure match.
Here is how others reacted to the incident:
@Zhuwawu24: “What was he trying to do because the ball was clearly going outside.”
@TapiwaZim: “Painful mistake at the worst time. We were holding them well.”
@MunyaWarrior: “Unfortunate handball but blaming Nakamba alone is unfair. We win and lose together.”
@ZimFootyFan: “Big players make mistakes. Respect to Nakamba for apologising.”
@NyashaMoyo_: “That penalty changed everything. Such a tough way to drop points.”
Focus shifts to recovery
Despite the setback, Nakamba stressed the importance of unity and learning from the moment as the Warriors crash out of the AFCON.
Zimbabwe bow out of the tournament and will now turn their attention to lessons learned and future competitions.
