adminSikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Under-20 side will today train at Barbourfields Stadium after Zifa finally raised enough funds to hire the facility, resulting in the coaches delaying naming their final squad for Sunday’s encounter against Botswana.
The neighbouring countries clash in the first leg of the first round qualifier of the 20th edition of the Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations in Zambia from February 26 to March 12, 2017.
Head coach Jairos Tapera was still confident that his boys would put on a good show and take a healthy lead to Lobatse for the return leg on April 22, despite the delay in accessing the match venue.
“We are training at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow (today) morning at 9AM. Personally I would have loved to train there from day one of our camp, but we had to make do with what was there,” said Tapera.
He has been taking the boys through their paces on the outside grounds at Barbourfields.
Tapera said as a result of the limited time, he was likely to announce his final team on the eve of the match.
“The team needs all the time it can get to gel. The boys’ tactical awareness is good, but what is needed now is to work on the combinations, which is what football is all about, otherwise I am positive that we will grind the necessary result needed,” said Tapera.
Eight teams will qualify for the biannual games with the top four qualifying for the 2017 Fifa Under-20 World Cup in South Korea.
Botswana are expected in Bulawayo this morning for the tie.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter