Under-20 Young Warriors coach Jairos Tapera yesterday named his final 18-member squad which will take on the Young Zebras of Botswana in the Orange African Under-20 Championships first round, first leg at Barbourfields Stadium today.
Highlanders striker Knox Mutizwa, a last minute call-up, made it into the final team that will be captained by Harare City defender Willard Kalongonda.
Mutizwa joins colleague Mgcini Sibanda upfront together with Dynamos’ Farai Mupasiri to make up the arsenal for the Young Warriors that are eyeing the finals of the Caf Youth Championships set for Algeria next year.
Black Mambas’ Tonderai Mateyaunga and Chicken Inn’s Roderick Madzongwe emerged as the goalkeepers for the tie.
Other players are vice-captain Kudakwashe Mahachi of Chicken Inn, twin defenders Elvis and Kelvin Moyo, Chrispen Ncube of Bantu Rovers and Vincent Mbira of Power Master.
The Gunners duo of Farai Madora and Munyaradzi Chiwara, Bantu Rover’s Nqobizitha Masuku, Edmore Tsoro of FC Platinum, Dynamos’ Brian Five, Elton Dzirondiro of Motor Action and Tatenda Dzumbunu make the midfield package.
Soon after the last training session at Luveve Stadium yesterday, Tapera said the boys were raring to go.
“I am very positive. I am one coach who believes in playing on the pitch and not in the newspapers. Of course Botswana have been together for a long time, but we have got the talent that will take us through. We spent too much time on selection and not preparing for the match, but that is not an excuse. It will not hamper us in any way in tomorrow’s match,” Tapera said.
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Tendai Munapi, Tino Muswe, Admire Dzumbunu, Liberty Chakorama, Derrick Chikwere and Marshal Marime did not make the team. However, Tapera said some of the players will be joining the team when it re-groups on Tuesday in preparation for the second leg in Botswana on May 5. The Young Zebras trained at White City Stadium on Thursday and yesterday they were at Barbourfields Stadium.
Coach Odirile “China” Matlhaku said he was not at liberty to shed light on his team’s preparations, but said they were in the country to give the Zimbabweans a good game.
However, reports from Botswana say the Young Zebras are pinning their hopes on Flamengo Stars Matthews Moruti, Tafic midfielder Ogomoditse Baoleni and Delta Winds striker Unobatsha Mbaiwa. They have the trusted hands of Gaborone United goalkeeper Neo Kenalemang.
The winner between Zimbabwe and Botswana will meet Angola in July in the second round of the qualifiers.
