Madira challenges supporters

Sunday.
The next edition of the Youth Championships will be held in Algeria in April next year and the Young Warriors are desperate for their first dance in the tournament.
Former Gunners’ coach Madira, who is now assistant to Bigboy Mawiwi at Harare City, believes the current group of Young Warriors has the potential to do very well but need support from everyone for them to feel at home and post a comfortable first leg win.
In the first round of the competition, the Young Warriors dismissed Botswana 5-1 on aggregate and Madira is confident they can repeat the same feat.
“We have a bunch of exciting players who are ready to fly the country’s flag high on the continent.
“These guys are putting a lot of effort and you can actually see they are desperate to deliver.
“We are playing a passing brand of football and we are pleading with the supporters to come in their numbers and rally behind the team in their quest to qualify for Algeria next year,” said Madira.
Madira, however, acknowledged a threat posed by the Angolans and was quick to remind his boys that it will be a different game from their first round clash against Botswana.
“We really don’t have a clear picture of how the Angolans play but l understand they are tall and play a physical game.
“There is no need for complacency as it will be a different ball game altogether from the Botswana game.
“But l am confident of registering a comfortable lead before we can finish them in their own backyard,” added Madira.
With the competition rules allowing for a squad of 23 players in the qualifiers, coach Jairos Tapera is not desperate to trim his side.
The initial squad had 25 players but two players have been ruled out.
Dynamos’ Brian Five pulled a hamstring during Tuesday’s training while Vincent Mbira will miss the tie after accumulating two yellow cards in the first game against Botswana.
Mbira will, however, be available for the return leg in Angola.
The technical team is expected to retain the bulk of players who did the job in the first round with Harare City’s Willard Kalongoda, the Moyo twins Elvis and Kelvin, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Nqobizitha Masuku and Highlanders’ exciting forward, Knox Mutizwa, expected to play a big part.
There also have Farai Madora, younger brother to senior national team striker Edward Sadomba, who acquitted himself well against Botswana.