adminThe Taurai Mangwiro-coached team had a week to prepare for the regional competition.
Mangwiro said they had tried to make do with the time they were given to prepare for the tournament.
“Our preparations went well. We were holding two training sessions a day and had our last yesterday (Tuesday). We had to make do with what was availed to us. There was nothing we could do,” he said.
The Monomotapa gaffer was confident that his charges would go up to the final.
“We selected talented players and we are sure that we will perform well. We do stand a chance of making it to the semi-finals of the tournament,” he said.
Some of the players that will be participating include Willard Kalongonda of DC Academy, Kudakwashe Mahachi of Bantu Rovers, Ozil Taruvinga (FC Platinum), Tichaona Mabvura (Dynamos) and Reading’s Trevor Mutero.
Last year the Young Warriors picked the bronze medal at the tournament and for this edition they have been drawn in Group D with Angola, Madagascar and Namibia.
Then Zimbabwe had in their squad the likes of Denver Mukamba, Simba Sithole, George Chogova, Kalongonda, Lincoln Zvasiya and Russel Madamombe.
Other countries participating at the tournament are the hosts Botswana, Comoros, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania and Zambia.
Zimbabwe open their 2011 games with a date tomorrow against Namibia at Molepolole Stadium with their second match set for Monday at the same venue where they will face Angola.
The Young Warriors round up their Group D matches on Tuesday where they will play Madagascar.
If they win the group, Zimbabwe will face the winner from Group C which has Zambia, Tanzania, South Africa, and Mauritius
Zambia are the Cosafa Under-20 defending champions and they beat Namibia 4-1.
Online Reporter