Kaizer Chiefs striker Knowledge Musona scored a brace including a late penalty for the Zimbabwe national team as they defeated Mali 2 – 1 in a Group A 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying game in Harare on Sunday afternoon.

Chiefs were well represented in the Warriors squad who as a result of the victory are now just a point behind second place Mali and three points off leaders the Cape Verde Islands who lost also on Sunday to Liberia.

Thomas Sweswe and Tinashe Nengomasha also started the match for Zimbabwe and it was Nengomasha who in the 40th minute drew a fantastic save from Malian goalkeeper Diakate Soumaïla with a powerful shot from distance which the Eagles net minder punched away.

Knowledge Musona who had been a menace all of the first half broke the deadlocked and shot Zimbabwe into the lead on the stroke of half time, seven minutes after the restart Zimbabwe Mali were back on level terms courtesy of a goal from El Hadji Mohamane Traore.

Zimbabwe pressed for the winner and their opportunity came in the final seconds of the game as they were awarded a penalty when Ovidy Karuru was brought down, the decision to hand the hosts a spot kick resulted in a mass brawl.

Mali had their captain Mahamadou Diarra sent off in the ensuing scuffle for punching Zimbabwean keeper Tapuwa Kapini who plays his club football for PSL side Platinum Stars.

From the penalty spot Musona knocked the ball wide but a retake was ordered as Soumaïla had moved before the kick was taken, at the second time of asking Musona sent the ball home to take his tally of goals to three in the qualifying stages.

Zimbabwe now move up to four points while Mali are point ahead of them on five and the Cape Verde Islands have seven points, Zimbabwe’s next face Liberia in Harare at the start of September.