THE Junior Warriors defied odds at the FIFA Under 15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan by finishing 70 places higher that their initial ranking.
The team, which arrived back in the country yesterday, finished 107 compared to their ranking of 177 before the tournament.
“The finish placed Zimbabwe ahead of 82 of the 189 participating teams, providing an encouraging platform on which to build the next generation of national team players,” said Zifa yesterday.
The Young Warriors finished fourth in the six-team Group C before progressing to Tier D, where they placed 11th out of 32 teams.
The tournament’s placement format ensured that every team continued playing through to the final matchday.
Following the group phase, teams competed in six tiers determined by their group positions, giving players further opportunities to test themselves against similarly placed opposition.
“For Zimbabwe, those matches provided valuable international experience at a formative stage.
The Young Warriors encountered different playing styles, faced fresh challenges and gained lessons to carry into the next chapter of their development.
“Finishing 70 places above their seeding was a milestone worth celebrating. It also reinforced the importance of giving emerging talent opportunities to compete, learn and grow.”
Zifa said with their campaign concluded, “the focus turns to building on that promise through consistent coaching, regular competition and continued support”.
Zifa president Nqobile Magwizi accompanied the boys back home yesterday. — Zimpapers Sports Hub/Zifa.
