Team’s preps off to false start

off to a false start yesterday because the Under-23 squad could not go into camp as planned.
The Young Warriors are set to play Botswana on the weekend of April 16-17 in Gaborone for the second round of the All-Africa Games qualifiers.
Zimbabwe booked their place in this round after dispatching Zambia 4-3 on aggregate in the earlier round.
Young Warriors manager Wellington Mpandare wanted the team to begin camp yesterday and they even made arrangements to bring in the unheralded Trevor Mutero who plays for English Championship side Reading.
“We had hoped that team will go into camp today but this will no longer happen.
“A meeting will be held with the Zifa chief executive officer during the course of the week so that we find new date,” he said.
Mpandare said Zifa were unable to get the Young Warriors in camp as they were focusing on the Mighty Warriors.
“The Zifa Village is occupied by the Mighty Warriors and we cannot move into any hotels because of the financial constrains.
“So we can only move in at the weekend unless we get some help from the corporate world,” said Mpandare.
Mpandare painted a gloomy picture for the team and pleaded with the corporate world to come and support the team.
“This current Under-23 team is one of the best sides assembled in recent years and could form the bedrock for the future Warriors. It needs the companies’ support because Zifa cannot foot the challenges alone this time around.
“Maybe we will look at some fund-raising activities and we will also hope some companies will help us. The boys need motivation,” said Mpandare.
Mpandare is hopeful the team will now go into camp at the weekend.
“We have managed to bring Mutero early hoping that camp will resume early but he cannot go back now.
“I have made arrangements that he trains with Gunners until the camp finally starts.
“The boy is raring to play for the national team but he still has to be assessed by the technical team.
“The fact that he plays for Reading in the English Championship speaks volumes for his talent,’ said Mpandare.