By Ray Bande
KAIZER Chiefs midfielder, Willard Katsande, believes the Warriors' lack of precision in front of goal cost them the three priceless points in Sunday's match against Guinea. Zimbabwe slumped to a humiliating 0-1 defeat at the hands of Guinea at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday in their opening Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier.
The Warriors carved several chances, but their finishing was a big let down.
With better precision, Zimbabwe could have at least come off with a point from the chances they created. 
In an interview soon after Sunday's match at the giant National Sports Stadium, the former Gunners and Highway FC player, said the only difference between the Warriors and their West African opponents — Guinea — on Sunday was nothing more than luck.
Guinea were awarded a free kick in the 27th minute in the arc of the penalty area and Stuttgart striker, Ibrahima Traore hit a beauty that left goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini just as much a spectator as thousands of fans in the terraces to hand the West Africans the priceless goal.
Even though the Warriors had their moments to level or even win the game, Takesure Chinyama, Knowledge Musona, Khama Billiat, Katsande and Ovidy Karuru took turns to miss clear-cut scoring chances
However, the Warriors international, Katsande, who was came onto the field of play in the 32nd minute as he replaced an out-of-sorts Archiford Gutu, slightly changed the complexion of the game, but the visitors hung on to their dear slender 1-0 lead.
The former Gunners and Highway FC midfielder, who is still in camp with the rest of the squad ahead of Sunday's second World Cup qualifier away in Maputo against Mozambique, said the Warriors did everything they could, but it was not just their day.
"I think everyone saw that we played our hearts out and threw everything we could at our opponents but we could not get the goal. We created a number of chances but somehow we just could not find the target.
"Our opponents - Guinea - were not superior in terms of class on the pitch, but were just lucky to find a goal and did well to defend that goal. We even created more scoring chances than them.
"I know everyone here at home expected us to win this match being the opening round of matches in the World Cup qualifier and the fact that we were playing at home but that is how the game of football goes. You win some, draw some and lose some matches.
"I just hope we will be able to turn the tables in Mozambique and also win away from home. If Guinea beat us here in our own backyard I do not see why we will not be able to beat the Mozambicans in their own backyard too," he said.
However, Katsande, said they have to put the disappointment behind them and focus on matches ahead of a busy schedule.
"It's painful to lose at home, especially the first match of an important campaign as this one. Everyone is devastated.
“Our hearts are bleeding with this defeat but we don't have to lose all hope.
"We are playing our next match soon, so we need to pick ourselves up quickly and focus on the coming challenges. It's a battle lost but the war is certainly not over," said Katsande.