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Grace Chingoma Harare Bureau
YOUNG Warriors skipper Wisdom Mutasa has urged his troops to play for the nation, and not try and market themselves to South African scouts, in a decisive Africa Under-23 Championship final qualifier, first leg tie at Rufaro tomorrow.
The last time the Young Warriors met their opponents was in 2011 in the qualifiers of the Africa Games and the team, which was dubbed the “Golden Generation”, choked and lost 1-2 on aggregate.
Actually, it was their pathetic performance in the first leg in Johannesburg that was their downfall as South Africa won 2-0 amid allegations that a number of players were distracted by scouts and duly failed to rise to the occasion.
That team, which had the likes of Archford Gutu, Denver Mukamba, Russell Madamombe, Devon Chafa, Mathew Rusike, Qadr Amini and Obey Mwerahari, showed a lot of promise but failed to qualify for the African Games.
A 1-0 victory at home was not enough to save their campaign.
Mutasa says they will not let pressure of any scouts from South Africa distract their focus in the two legs of their showdown against the men from south of the Limpopo.
Already two of the Young Warriors, Thomas Chideu and Evans Rusike, have been snapped by Ajax Cape Town and Maritzburg United.
Highly rated Harare City forward, Tinotenda Kadewere, yesterday left camp to go to Europe for trials with a number of clubs and will start his trial stint in Sweden.
Mutasa said they needed to play for their nation, before thinking about themselves, and tomorrow’s game provided them with a challenge to do just that.
“It’s a big match but we will treat it just like any of the other matches we have played before and get a good result,” said Mutasa.
“It’s an opportunity to market ourselves but we will not let that affect us and that should not be the priority.
“We will remain focused on playing and getting a positive result and, if that happens, then everyone will notice us.”
The FC Platinum midfielder was in Slovakia in the past three weeks, together with his clubmate Walter Musona, and said he was feeling fresh and raring to go.
“I’m not feeling tired at all. We still have the energy to run around and I’m ready for the game,” he said, adding that he learnt a lot from his attachment in Europe which he could use in the showdown against the South Africans.
Coach Callisto Pasuwa has said the two players are now at a higher level of fitness than their colleagues following their three weeks in Europe.
“The trials went on well and we featured in three friendly matches against clubs from Austria, Czech Republic and a local team from Slovakia,” said Mutasa.
“The coach says he was happy with our performance but he will communicate with managers and we will hear if we made it or not.
“Their football has pace so I think if we use that to our advantage we will beat South Africa.
“All the players are raring to go and looking forward to the match. We’re ready to face them.”
Pasuwa, who has been scaling heights in his coaching career and breaking records, would also want to add qualification for the African Championship, set for Senegal in December, and a possible place at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, next year to his list of achievements.
He said that despite the injuries that have been stalking his camp, they were ready to take on their neighbours in this winner-take-all contest that comes with a lot of bragging rights.
Pasuwa will be hoping that his goalkeeper, Tatenda Mukuruva, who made a number of heroic saves in his last match for the national team in Malawi, continues with his fine form.
Teenage Hadebe has recovered from a knock and will partner Lawrence Mhlanga in the heart of the defence and Blessing Moyo and Praise Tonha will complete the backline.
In the holding midfield the usual partnership of Gerald Takwara and Nqobizitha Masuku are likely to start while Kuda Mahachi and Walter Musona will be on the wings and skipper Mutasa just behind Thomas Chidue upfront.
Online Reporter