Online Reporter
Curtworth Masango
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Warriors started their 2027 AFCON qualifiers in Morocco last night and, it’s very likely, the next generation of the country’s football stars were watching.
The Young Warriors are in camp in Harare and they know that they are just being prepared to be the next generation of Warriors.
One of those ambitious Young Warriors is Manica Diamonds’ Daryl Zulu.
He says he wants to make a name for himself and his family in local football.
He has earned a place in the Young Warriors squad ahead of Zimbabwe’s upcoming Under-23 AFCON qualifier against Mauritius.
The Young Warriors have stepped up preparations in camp under the guidance of coach Marc Sanchez.
The qualifiers are also part of Zimbabwe’s pathway towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Zulu is among the locally-based players hoping to seize the opportunity and believes sharing camp with foreign-based prospects will accelerate his development.
“Being called up to the national team is a great achievement for me, my family and also my team, Manica Diamonds,” said Zulu.
“It is a great achievement and I would like to learn new things.
“My personal goal during this camp is to learn from the other guys who have come from abroad, as well as my fellow locally-based players.
“I am also willing to learn from the coaches and understand the different styles of play that the other guys bring.”
The squad brings together locally and foreign-based youngsters, leaving Sanchez with the task of quickly forging a cohesive unit before the Mauritius assignment.
Zulu said he has settled well in camp and is determined to make the most of every training session as competition for places intensifies.
“So far during this camp, I haven’t faced any challenges that could pull me down,” he said.
“What motivates me when I put on the national team jersey is where I come from.
“From my home area, there hasn’t been anyone who has been called up to the national team.
“Even in my family, there hasn’t been anyone who has received a national team call-up, so I want to make a name for myself, my family and the place where I come from.
“I want to make sure that one day my name will be remembered in Zimbabwean football history.”
The Young Warriors are set to host Mauritius on September 30 before travelling away the following week.
