Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOOTBALL analyst Dalubuhle Bhebhe has called on Zimbabwe’s football authorities to make school structures the centre of junior national team selection. He warned that an over-reliance on academies risks sidelining grassroots talent and creating long-term developmental gaps.
Speaking ahead of the 2026 TotalEnergies Caf Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations Cosafa Qualifiers, which Zimbabwe will host from September 11 to 20, Bhebhe urged the National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash) to take full responsibility for identifying and developing players in the Under-17 age group.
“It’s a complex issue because there is no national junior league. That makes it problematic when it comes to selecting a national team. The people who should take the lead are Nash because it is the exact age group they are in charge of.
The national team should come through Nash structures,” Bhebhe said.
Bhebhe cautioned that without a credible, school-based system, the country will continue to face problems with player eligibility, selection bias, and the exclusion of talented youngsters from underprivileged areas.
“Right now, academies will take the opportunity and push their players into the team regardless of quality. If we don’t correct this, the same problems will keep coming back. We need structures that are fair, inclusive, and credible.”
The Young Warriors have been seeded in Group A alongside Mozambique, Comoros, and Eswatini. Only the top team from each of the three groups and the best runner-up will advance to the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, regional powerhouses Zambia and South Africa will face off in what has been labelled the “Group of Death,” also featuring Madagascar and Malawi. Angola, last year’s beaten finalists, are in Group C with Botswana, Mauritius, and Lesotho.
Zambia are the defending champions and the most successful side in the tournament’s history, while South Africa is second on that list.
Hosts Zimbabwe will be hoping to end an 18-year trophy drought. The Young Warriors’ solitary Cosafa title came in 2007, a memorable campaign where they went unbeaten in the group stages before edging Zambia and South Africa in tense penalty shootouts in the knockout stages.
Since that triumph, the team’s journey has been marked by inconsistency, administrative setbacks, and early exits.
They were disqualified in 2020 and did not compete from 2019 to 2022. Their return in 2024 saw them reach the semi-finals, where they were knocked out by Angola.
With the tournament now on home soil, there is renewed hope that the class of 2025 can emulate the heroes of 2007 and, more importantly, secure qualification for the 2026 Caf Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations. The Young Warriors will be banking on passionate home support to carry them through as they face stiff competition from regional giants like Angola, Zambia, and South Africa.
Zimbabwe U’17 Provisional Squad:
Goalkeepers: Victor Nyemba (Cardship), Ismail Lunat (St John’s), Siyanda Zimba (Pamushana).
Defenders: Tapiwa Mautsa (St George’s), Seth Musarapachena (Young Bafana), Fortune Ncube (Zebras Revolution), Ainsley Murapa (Betis Academy), Christian Mpande (Guinea Fowl), Prince Chimwakale (Legends Academy), Tanaka Machaka (Cardship).
Midfielders: Tawananyasha Chisuse (BUSE), Rufadzo Hussein (St George’s / Golden Eagles), Jameson Nduna (Supersport Utd), Munashe Ncube (Guinea Fowl), Darrel Zulu (Rusununguko), Awakhiwe Tshalibe (Chicken Inn), Takudzwa Chinyowa (Leeds United).
Forwards: Tatenda Maulidi (Legends Academy), Elshadai Sadomba (St John’s/Golden Eagles), Tadiwa Chakuchichi (Scottland), Irvine Mtungwazi (Ubuntu Cape Town), Mbonisi Ndlovu (Nakaluba School), Tapiwa Gutu (Lions Academy), Dwayne Musona (Majesa), Thabile Zulu (Biya for Friends).
