Zimbabwe head coach Ramon Catala has leapt to the defence of Magesi FC goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze, insisting the veteran shot-stopper cannot shoulder the blame alone despite costly mistakes that led to three questionable goals in two 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
Chipezeze conceded two questionable goals when Zimbabwe dramatically overturned a two-goal deficit to beat Sierra Leone 3-2 last Thursday at the Ben M’Hmed Stadium in Morocco.
On Monday, he conceded another questionable goal as the Warriors fell 2-1 to the DRC at the National Sports Stadium in Harare in a Group E 2027 AFCON qualifier. In total, he conceded four goals in two matches.
The 36-year-old fumbled the ball into Yoane Wissa’s path, and the Newcastle United man had an easy task slotting it home for DR Congo’s first goal. The second was scored by Samuel Moutoussamy.
Marshall Munetsi scored the consolation goal for Zimbabwe. Despite the goals raising questions among fans, Catala has stood by the Magesi FC goalminder saying defending is a collective responsibility.
“Elvis alone cannot be blamed for the goals we have conceded. Yes, he conceded two goals against Sierra Leone and two against DRC, but football is a team game. When we concede, everyone played a part in letting those goals go in,” Ramon Catala said.
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The Spanish coach added that Chipezeze, like any other player in the squad, deserves protection from excessive criticism.
“Elvis Chipezeze, like any other player, must be protected. He alone cannot shoulder the blame for the national team,” Catala added. “We win as a team, and we lose as a team. To point fingers at one player is not fair. The whole team defends together and the whole team attacks together.”
Chipezeze’s return to the Warriors fold has been under scrutiny, and DRC made it more emotional. DRC is the same team that has haunted his international career more than any other.
It was his first meeting with DRC after that night in Cairo on 30 June 2019 at the 30 June Stadium, when Zimbabwe needed a result to stay alive at the 2019 AFCON.
The late former SuperSport United goalkeeper, George Chigova, was injured, and Edmore Sibanda was already sidelined. It was Chipezeze’s turn to guard the goals for Zimbabwe.
However, it turned out to be a nightmare, as he made three howlers in a 4-0 humiliation that knocked the Warriors out of AFCON. For years after the humiliation in Cairo, Chipezeze fell completely down the pecking order.
Despite rebuilding his club career, from Baroka FC to leading Magesi FC to a historic Carling Knockout triumph over Mamelodi Sundowns, the national team door remained shut.
That only changed in March 2025, when Michael Nees was appointed Warriors head coach. Nees recalled the 36-year-old, handing him a national team lifeline almost six years after his last cap.
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