MWOS U19 duo elated with national call ups

Tadious Manyepo

Zimpapers Sports Hub

MWOS U19 striker Timmy Kushata and defender Keith Handirade said they are still in disbelief after making it in the national Under 23 squad scheduled to play in the upcoming CAF 2028 Olympics qualifiers against Mauritius next month.

The two youngsters are the only ones selected from a lower league team outside those based abroad by coach Marc Sanchez last week. MWOS U19, a feeder team to Castle Lager Premier Soccer League side MWOS participate in the highly competitive MCM Estate Northern Region Soccer League.

They made traction especially in the Munhumutapa Cup where they reached the Round-of-16 with forward Kushata scoring four goals in that tournament.

The silky frontman has scored nine goals in the NRSL in 23 games while Handirade has been a tower at the back and while being solid, has also been servicing the strikeforce with eight assists and a goal to his name in 25 games.

While the pair has an impressive return in a competitive league like the NRSL, they never saw themselves being named in the Young Warriors squad.

“I am humbled by this call up, to say the least,” said Kushata.

“I have always stayed positive in my game. I always look to go up and it’s something that I always work hard for.

“But to be honest, the call up came as a huge surprise for me. Just being named in the squad is something I am proud of because that’s the ultimate dream anyway.”

His colleague Handirade agreed.

“I am not only happy for myself but for MWOS U19 FC, the Norton community, my mate Kushata and the NRSL,” said Handirade.

“Look, when we are playing here, the aim is to go a notch up into the Premier Soccer League and maybe well after that look to break into the national teams.

“You see why we are so much on cloud nine right?

“Basically it’s something really humbling to say the least.”

Their coach Wonder Ngoko and the NRSL chairman Sweeny Mushonga are equally excited.

Said Mushonga: “Well, when you see players who play for one of your teams in the NRSL being selected in the national teams is a moment that we should all be proud of.

“The national U23 side has so many players from abroad and for these boys to be in there too is special.

“This should also challenge their colleagues across the league and encourage all the teams that football in its purest form doesn’t really care about geography but just hard work and focus.”

Sanchez got to assess the two when they put on polished performances in the Munhumutapa Cup before they were bundled out by league champions Scottland in the Last 16.

Zimbabwe U23 squad

GOALKEEPERS

Jayen Carthwaite (Aston Villa)

Tatenda Chikowero (Ngezi Platinum)

Joseph Kaunda (Manica Diamonds)

DEFENDERS

Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday)

Corbin Mthunzi (Ipswich Town)

Shane Maroodza (Sarajevo)

Taropafadzwa Wafarowa (Newcastle Jets)

Takudzwa Gwanzura (Norwich City)

Jayden Munikwa (Norwich City)

Keith Handirade (MWOS FC)

Richard Nkomo (South Melbourne)

MIDFIELDERS

Tadiwanashe Huni (FC Hunters)

Prosper Padera (SJK Seinajoki)

Garie Jr Brendon Chibika (Chicken Inn)

Miles Bracking (Norwich City)

Seth Chingwaro (Fulham)

Noel Zimbeva (Radford)

Junior Chigumbu (Houtbay United)

Menzi Mazwi (Birmingham)

FORWARDS

Timmy Kushata (MWOS FC)

Darrel Zulu (Manica Diamonds)

Tanaka Munemo (Ngezi Platinum)

Prince Ndlovu (Highlanders)

Elisha Pfupa (Portsmouth)

David Chigwara (Brentford)

Vernon Masara (Peterborough)