Tapera to name squad

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
YOUNG Warriors’ coach Jairos Tapera will this afternoon name his 25-member squad that will go into camp to prepare for the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations first leg qualifier against Botswana in Bulawayo on Sunday.

The junior continental competition finals will be held in Zambia next year.

The return leg will be played on April 22 in Lobatse.

Tapera and his technical team have been conducting trials in Bulawayo since Sunday.

“We’re still trying to come up with a team and we’ve been holding trials at Raylton Sports Club since Sunday. On the first day we had 25 players and today we had four teams (44 players),” said Tapera.

“Unlike in the past where we used to have national trials, this time around we invited some guys from outside Bulawayo and most of the players have been coming from their homes. We will trim the number to 25 after our morning session tomorrow.”

Some of the players attending trials at Raylton include Bantu Rovers’ captain Bukhosi Sibanda, his teammate Gladman Bharibhari and the former national Under-17 duo of Denzel Khumalo and Mathius Chodera.

Highlanders’ striker Prince Dube has also been invited to the trials.

Meanwhile, Botswana are expected in Bulawayo for the match on Thursday evening.

Zambian referees Wisdon Chewe, Kabwe Chansa and Oliver Mweene, while the Namibian trio of Jonas Shongedi, Christof Alfred and Alfeus Shipanga will handle the return leg.