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Bosso had its Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter against Dynamos postponed to a later date due to the Harare giants’ involvement in the Caf Champions League competition.
To keep their players match fit, Highlanders agreed to a friendly encounter with the Young Warriors who are preparing for their second leg encounter of the first round qualifier of the African Championships against Botswana.
The Young Warriors will arrive for camp in Bulawayo today and they will be leaving for Gaborone on Wednesday.
Both the Zifa board member competitions responsible for national teams Benedict Moyo and Andrew Tapela confirmed tomorrow’s friendly match.
“As you are aware we should have played Dynamos this weekend but they are in Tunisia for continental football. We did not want the players to be inactive for a long time and so when the Young Warriors asked for a friendly match we agreed after consultations with our technical manager Kelvin Kaindu.
“The Young Warriors convincingly beat Botswana at Barbourfields Stadium last weekend and we hope they will give us a good challenge,” said Tapela.
The Zimbabwe Under-20 team beat Botswana 4-0 with their goals coming from double scorer Munyaradzi Chirwa, Edmore Tsoro and Knox Mutizwa.
Highlanders’ Mutizwa who had a fine performance in Young Warriors colours despite joining camp late created the other three goals before capping the day with a beautiful header.
Young Warriors are likely to maintain the team that beat Botswana for the second leg.
Moyo said the move to bring the national Under-20 team to Bulawayo was in accordance with their plans of taking national teams to other parts of the country.
“The Young Warriors will be in Bulawayo tomorrow for camp before proceeding to Botswana. They are set to play Highlanders in one of their training matches before leaving on Tuesday for Gaborone.
“As part of Zifa’s development goals, we agreed to have national teams playing outside Harare and that in a way is taking the national teams to the people. With this Highlanders match in particular, the coaches will use it to rectify the loopholes they noticed in the first leg. We also want to give the Young Warriors strong challenge before they leave to avoid a situation whereby teams depart for competitions without having a practice game,”Moyo said.
Highlanders on the other hand will be hoping to get their players ready ahead of their Tuesday clash with FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium.
In their last league match Bosso salvaged a point against Buffaloes in Mutare with Beavan Chikaka scoring for Bosso.
Bhekimpilo Ncube, Heritein Masuku and Honest Moyo who missed the Buffaloes game due to ankle injuries might play tomorrow.
The dependable Innocent Mapuranga, Mthulisi Maphosa who have had a good season’s start, Milton Ncube and Masimba Mambare are some of the players expected to start for Highlanders.
Online Reporter