Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE Under-20 men’s handball head coach Tafadzwa Madure says they have an uphill task ahead of them after they were drawn against some of the continent’s powerhouses for the African Men’s Junior Championship.
The tournament will feature 16 countries and is slated for September in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Zimbabwe are up against top-ranked Rwanda, hosts Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea in Group A.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub after the draw recently, Madure, who has previously led the team to the continental phase competition, conceded it’s a tough draw.
“It’s a big mountain,” said Madure.
“We have played Rwanda in the previous two tournaments, in 2023 and 2024, and they are a big team.
“I think they are well advanced in terms of how they do their things, while we are still trying to learn in terms of our approach, which we are in the same pool with them.
“Also, we are going to play the hosts (Côte d’Ivoire). The hosts would want to showcase themselves, so it’s going to be a very tough game for us. It’s a tough tournament for us.
“But we shall push with the boys to at least come out with a win or two because we are not going there to make numbers.
“We need to win.”
Zimbabwe booked their place for the championship when they won the International Handball Federation Zone VI Trophy in May.
And the team was last in action at that regional tournament.
They are yet to regroup for the next assignment, and Madure admitted they are lagging behind in terms of getting ready for the tournament.
“We have not been in camp after the (Zone VI) tournament because of financial issues, so probably we just need to have one long camp, which makes it difficult.
“Playing with such teams as Rwanda and Cote d’Ivoire, it’s tough because those guys are always training and they are always active.
“We have also previously played Guinea. It’s a big team again, their game is up there . . . It’s a tough one. We need to work hard,” added Madure.
The 16 teams were divided into four groups of four. Group B consists of Algeria, Angola, Nigeria, and Madagascar, while Tunisia, Libya, Benin, and Kenya are in Pool C.
Pool D is made up of Egypt, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Congo.
