adminSikhumbuzo Moyo
THE Zimbabwe Under-20 boys soccer team’s trip to Angola still hangs in the balance as organisers of the Four Nations tournament are yet to confirm the travel itinerary as well as the identity of the other two opponents. The tournament was initially set to be held last weekend but was postponed to this coming weekend. Three days away from the start of the tournament, the Angolan Football Association is yet to send an official confirmation of the trip.
“As of now we know nothing about the finer details of this tournament. We don’t even know our opponents, venues and indeed the travel itinerary because as an association we don’t have resources to undertake the trip and we made that clear to our counterparts in Angola who promised to fund everything,” said Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela.
The tournament is part of Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos’ birthday celebrations.
Meanwhile, 25 players are expected into camp this afternoon in preparation for the weekend tournament.
Young Warriors manager Patrick Mutesva confirmed the resumption of the training camp that was cancelled last week following the postponement of the celebrations.
“We resume our camp tomorrow (today). Players are expected at the Zifa offices in the afternoon where we are also likely to have a light training session,” said Mutesva.
The technical team is led by former FC Platinum coach Jairos Tapera assisted by Chicken Inn head coach Mandla ‘Lulu’ Mpofu and Harare City’s assistant coach George Madira with Laban Kandi taking care of the goalkeepers.
If the trip finally materialises, Mpofu will miss his team’s Mbada Diamonds Cup first round clash against BancABC Sup8r Cup winners Shabanie Mine set for Mandava Stadium this Saturday.
Highlanders’ duo of Mgcini Sibanda and Bobby Nkomo, Hwange’s Standford Chavingira, Chicken Inn’s Brighton Mawire and How Mine’s Nyambi Mpofu are part of the team. The squad is dominated by FC Platinum youngsters.
Coming from the platinum miners are Emaculate Mauna, Livingstone Genti, Nigel Papias, Michael Chihova while Harare giants Dynamos have goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva and Abel Gwatidzo.
Zimbabwe Under-20 Squad:
Takudzwa Mahori, Tinovimba Muskwe, Ronald Pfumbidzai (all CAPS United), Emaculate Mauna, Livingston Genti, Nigel Papias, Michael Chihova (all FC Platinum), Walter Musona, Wisdom Mutasa, Bernard Donovan (goalkeeper), Albert Kusemwa (all Motor Action), Tatenda Mukuruva (goalkeeper), Abel Gwatidzo (both Dynamos), Liberty Chakoroma (Buffaloes), Michael Ngwenya (Black Mambas), Bartholomew Muzadzi (Twalumba), Tino Kadewera (Prince Edward High School), Stanford Chavingira (Hwange), Obey Hunda (Tripple B) Bobby Nkomo, Mgcini Sibanda (both Highlanders), Tatenda Munaapi (Shabanie Mine), Nyambi Mpofu (How Mine), Brighton Mawire (Chicken Inn)
Online Reporter