THE Young Warriors trip to Swaziland for the Under-23 Championship qualifier second leg hung in the balance last night as there were no funds for air-tickets in the absence of Zifa president Cuthbert Dube who was attending the Fifa congress in Switzerland.
BY WELLINGTON TONI
They are now set to leave this morning if things go according to plan.
In the absence of Dube, vice-president Omega Sibanda automatically assumes the reins as the head of the national association and was yesterday morning meeting with Sport, Arts and Culture minister Andrew Langa in Bulawayo to salvage the trip.
Back in Harare, the Young Warriors, according to Sharif Mussa, the team manager, continued with their preparations still hopeful of getting to Mbabane for tomorrow’s match.
“We are waiting to confirm whether we will travel this evening (last night) or tomorrow morning (today) as we are trying to negotiate with stakeholders for the air tickets. In the meantime, we are training and we might train in the afternoon depending on when we are travelling,” Mussa told NewsDay Sport yesterday morning.
In the afternoon as NewsDay Sport sought an update on the travelling arrangements, Mussa said: “They are still negotiating, but it will be tomorrow morning (this morning) via Johannesburg (South Africa). It’s gonna be tight, we might not have the chance to train at the match venue if we arrive late.
“We would have loved to go tonight (last night), so that we rest and train at the match venue.”
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
These are the hurdles the Young Warriors have to overcome on the road to Rio with South Africa lying in wait should they sail past Isihlangu.
With the government unable even to finance a road trip or pay allowances, all has been left to the equally broke Zifa to run around sourcing for funding, worse with the Mighty Warriors, whose aid has come in the form of PHD Ministries founder Walter Magaya, hosting Zambia in another Olympic match tomorrow.
The Warriors set up has experienced hands, though, the same players that pulled an amazing 1-1 draw against Cameroon in the All-Africa Games final qualifier away to make the finals in September in Congo-Brazzaville.
These include Tatenda Mukuruva, Blessing Moyo, Ronald Pfumbidzayi, Wisdom Mutasa, Nqobizitha Masuku, Godfrey Takwara, Malvern Gaki, Carlos Rusere, Teenage Hadebe, Pritchard Mpelele and Marshall Mudehwe.
Meanwhile, reports from the Times of Swaziland say Under-23s coach Caleb Ngwenya has called up striker Mthunzi Mkhontfo ahead of tomorrow’s match at Somhlolo National Stadium. The winger plays for Royal Leopards, but missed last Sunday’s goalless first leg draw at Rufaro Stadium.
Ngwenya also confirmed the latest developments, saying the former Midas City star was the latest addition in the squad alongside Sea Birds striker, Muzi Tsabedze.
“The players have always been part of the team. It’s just that Mthunzi has been held up in the senior national team. We’re getting there as all the players are now in camp,” Ngwenya told the Times of Swaziland.
