Tadious Manyepo Zimpapers Sports Hub
Zimbabwe U23 0-3 Mali U23
THE YOUNG Warriors’ shocking flaws were cruelly exposed and severely punished, leaving their chances of qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games hanging in the balance after this defeat at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
Stand-in coach Wilson Mtekede admitted it’s a long way before this group of youngsters can match the best there is on the continent, and naturally he is optimistic they can turn the fixture around when they play the return leg away on Tuesday.
But practically, there was nothing positive to pick from the match yesterday, especially for a team that scored as many as six goals in their previous two-legged qualifier against Mauritius.
Nothing was encouraging, but everything was disappointing about the Young Warriors’ performance.
And serious questions are flying on whether this bunch is the best that Zimbabwe, with its rich talent at local and international level, can have at this mature age.
Serious questions are coming on whether some of the players chosen to play at this level even deserve to wear the national team colours.
Granted, there is an element of development involved at Under 23 level but these are qualifiers for the biggest sporting fiesta in the world and for the technical team to then try and hide behind the shadow of development is undermining the dignity of this country.
The diaspora talent that Zimbabwe has in vast proportions cannot be abused by cartels in the name of development.
That Mtekede sat arguably, the best player in this squad; Nisbert Muzenda on the bench alongside
Tanaka Munemo and Allan Chapinduka, ostensibly because they play in the local league, begs some serious inquiry.
The youngsters looked like zombies on that lush green turf, utterly consumed by the occasion.
Of course Mali, unlike Mauritius, were expected to offer some tough competition but the way they ran over the show exposed a flawed diaspora push, especially at this level where those players at best are just training aids in European academies.
Zimbabwe were soon pegged back well before they even had a full feel of the game when Aboubacar Sidibe ran through to slide home from the right.
Then Niama Sissoko sliced home from the penalty spot to carry Mali to the break in cruise control.
Zimbabwe fans let their frustration known as the Young Warriors walked back to the dressing room trying to draw a positive response.
The positive response did come in the second half but was only about it as they conceded yet again; Seydou Dembele scoring an angled goal to kill the contest.
Then there was nothing. Zimbabwe only managed a single shot on target, that is if it can be called one for Oumar Pona never really got tested guiding the posts for the West Africans.
Overturning the 0-3 deficit is now an uphill task for Zimbabwe and Mtekede, who stood in for Marc Sanchez, the Spanish gaffer, having travelled with the Warriors to Cameroon for their 2027 AFCON qualifier against Equatorial Guinea today, knows it well.
“It’s going to be very difficult, but we still have the belief,” he said.
“We made an error by conceding an early goal, which we should have avoided.”
Teams
Zimbabwe U23
Tatenda Chikowero, Kristian Clark (Nisbert Muzenda 63min), Miles Bracking (Allan Chapinduka 44min) Takudzwa Gwanzura, Richard Nkomo (Tanaka Munemo 80min), Seth Chingwaro, David Chigwada (Reece Evans 46min), Junior Chigumbu (Tinashe Manyumba 46min), Menzi Mazwi, Vernon Masara, Elisha Pfupa
Mali U23
Oumar Pona, Oumar Barry, Hamidou Makalou, Fousseny Doumbia (Eden Gassana 72min), Sekou Doucore, Sekou Kone, Niama Sissoko, Moulaye Haidara (Mahamoud Barry 72min), Aboubacar Sidibe (Amady Camara 72min), Ousmane Thiero, Ibrahima Diakite,
