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Gaborone, Botswana, for an All-Africa Games qualifier set for next week.
The Young Warriors used a coach to travel to Lusaka for the away tie against Zambia and it will be another long journey by bus when they face Botswana in the first leg of the first round clash set for Friday.
The Under-23 had hoped to get into camp on Monday but their plans went off the rails and coach Friday Phiri yesterday named a 23-member squad set go into camp on Sunday.
Zifa faced financial challenges to have the Under-23 team in at the same time with the Mighty Warriors.
The Mighty Warriors, who face Angola, are expected to head to Hwange and make room for the Young Warriors at the Zifa Village.
All the players are expected to assemble at Zifa House on Sunday after turning out for their respective clubs and will only be able to train twice on Monday before their road trip on Tuesday.
Yesterday team manager Wellington Mupandare announced a squad boosted by two foreign-based professionals.
The squad has Trevor Mutero, who plays for Reading FC in the English Championship, and Matthew Rusike who turns out for South African Division One side Jomo Cosmos.
Phiri has kept faith in the players who did duty in the preliminary round over Zambia.
Zimbabwe drew 1-1 with Zambia at Rufaro before posting a sensational 3-2 win in Lusaka in the reverse fixture.
Denver Mukamba, who scored in both legs, had been retained in the team while Simba Sithole – who sunk a brace in Lusaka – is also expected to make it into the final 18.
“We have selected 23 players because we are not sure about the fitness level of some of the players.
“Timire Mamvura has a slight knock and we never know how the other players will be looking like after their league games at the weekend.
“There is very little time for training and we will then have to travel with 18 players.
“We have been advised that the game is on Friday so we are leaving on Tuesday and should be returning the day after the game,” said Mpandare.
Phiri has kept faith in Ariel Sibanda, the Highlanders goalkeeper, while George Chigova and Liberty Chirava provide cover.
Botswana drew 1-1 with Swaziland before winning 1-0 in the return leg in Mbabane to book their date against Zimbabwe.
Botswana’s Young Zebras will this evening face Egypt in an Olympic Games qualifier.
The same pool of players will then face Zimbabwe next week.
Botswana are likely to miss the vital services of midfielder, Ofentse Nato and defence stalwart Gaopatwe Seosenyeng.
According to reports from Botswana, Nato is out the squad after his club, Gaborone United, declined to release him saying that he risks burning himself out because of too many games.
Seosenyeng will miss the match after he was ejected out of the Young Zebras’ camp yesterday morning for flouting the team’s disciplinary code.
Zimbabwe Squad
Goalkeepers: A. Sibanda, G. Chigova, L. Chirava
Defenders: L. Zvasiya, Q. Amin, O. Mwerahari, V. Kamhuka, C. Mutero, B. Chimwamuchere, E. Nkomo
Midfielders: J. Ngodzo, A. Amidu, W. Kamudyariwa, T. Mamvura, A. Gutu, D. Chafa, R. Madamombe, T. Mutero
Strikers: D. Mukamba, M. Rusike, S. Sithole, R. Mutuma
Online Reporter