Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub
CHICKEN INN are savouring a proud moment after their captain Xolani Ndlovu, his deputy Donovan Bernard and midfield dynamo Joseph Tulani, were named in the Warriors’ provisional squad for the Afcon training camp. The club says the call-ups underline the strength of their brand and the hard work being done behind the scenes.
The trio joined the rest of the locally based players in camp following last week’s announcement of the 55-man provisional list. Ndlovu and Bernard have been regulars in recent national team cycles, while Tulani has finally broken through after a strong run of form. They join a solid home-based cast that includes Andrew Mbeba, Peter Muduhwa, Emmanuel Jalai, Junior Makunike, Walter Musona, league top scorer Washington Navaya, Godknows Murwira, Kevin Moyo, Mthokozisi Msebe and Tymon Machope, among others.
“We want to congratulate our players for such recognition. It’s a big endorsement for us as a club and for them as individuals. We are really happy for them and we wish them all the best in making it into the final 23-man squad.
They should go there and compete for their places,” said Chicken Inn spokesperson Nkululeko Nkala.
The final squad for the 2025 Afcon will be trimmed from the current list. The tournament runs from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026 in Morocco, and Zimbabwe will be aiming to make a strong impression.
In another development, the draw for the Caf Under-17 Girls Integrated Football Tournament has been completed, setting the stage for a lively competition to be hosted in Zimbabwe from December 8 to 18. The ceremony at Cosafa House in Johannesburg delivered fresh match-ups and renewed energy for a tournament designed to develop young female players across the region.
Zimbabwe, as hosts, will play a central role in this event and strengthen its growing influence in women’s football. The competition brings together eight leading academies and clubs from Southern Africa. It builds on the inaugural edition staged in Tanzania in January, where JKT Queens edged TDS Girls 2–1 in the final.
Mpopoma Sports Academy will represent Zimbabwe. The academy is renowned for its discipline, strong youth structures, and its senior side that competes in the Women’s Premier Soccer League. Mposa now steps into the tournament carrying national hopes against some of the region’s strongest junior teams.
Caf introduced the Gift tournament to create proper development pathways for girls who often leap into senior football too early. The competition offers age-appropriate experience, international exposure, and room for steady growth. Caf Head of Women’s Football, Meskerem Tadesse Goshime, has said the tournament fills a key development gap and encourages new investment in girls’ football.
Hosting the event will give Zimbabwe an important boost through sport tourism, improved infrastructure, capacity building for coaches and match officials, and wider community engagement through clinics and outreach programmes. It also aligns with Zifa’s renewed drive to strengthen girls’ and women’s football, backed by improved school pathways under the Zifa–MoPSE partnership and broader junior football reforms.
Caf Under 17 Official Draw
Group A
Mpopoma Sports Academy (Zimbabwe)
Otjiwarongo Sports Academy (Namibia)
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Luwinga Academy (Malawi)
Group B
Aquila Stars Women (Zambia)
Okakarara Golden Ladies (Namibia)
Refilwe (South Africa)
Lishoeshoe (Lesotho)
All matches will be played at Ngoni Stadium in Norton.
