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Langton Nyakwenda
FOR the first time since its inception, the African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament will take place in three countries.
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will host the jamboree from February 1 to 28 next year.
It will be the eighth edition of the tournament that is reserved for players plying their trade in local leagues.
Zimbabwe have been to the CHAN finals on five occasions since the tournament’s inception in 2009. After missing out on the 2022 finals held in Algeria, the Warriors are eager to be part of the party in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in February 2025.
The road to East Africa begins this afternoon when Zimbabwe host Eswatini in a first-round, first-leg qualifier at Obedi Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown, Botswana.
Kick-off is 3pm.
Takesure Chiragwi, who deputises Warriors coach Michael Nees, has been given the mandate to lead Zimbabwe to their sixth appearance at the CHAN finals.
The Ngezi Platinum Stars coach has called up a squad largely made up of Under-23 players and some unheralded players including 22-year-old Tinashe Mashaireni who plays for Central Region Soccer League side Kwekwe United. Some of the senior players in the squad include former CAPS United captain Godknows Murwira, Ngezi Platinum striker Obriel Chirinda and Chicken Inn keeper Donovan Bernard.
Bernard is most likely to start in goals for Zimbabwe, who are out to establish a healthy lead ahead of the return leg set for Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, South Africa, next weekend.
The Chicken Inn goalie has kept 18 clean sheets in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League and is now well poised to claim the Goalkeeper of the Year award.
The Aces Youth academy product is one of the senior players coach Chiragwi is looking up to. Chiragwi is happy with the players’ fitness levels and is very optimistic.
“The players are looking sharp and we have every reason to be optimistic,” he said.
“I think this is an opportunity for these youngsters to integrate into the senior team as most of them are coming from the Under-20.
“It’s an opportunity for them to grow and compete at a higher level. They have a lot of passion. So far, we are trying to work on combinations and to familiarise the team to each other.
“The players are coming up and they are not far from what we want, but obviously here and there, because they are still growing, they can make those technical mistakes which are coachable, anyway.”
Chiragwi wants his players to play with freedom and enjoy.
The winner of this first-round tie will face Madagascar over two legs in the final qualifying round in December.
Online Reporter