Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
HIGHLANDERS defender Andrew Mbeba is set to lead a largely youthful Zimbabwe side for this year’s COSAFA Cup, where he will be one of the few experienced players picked by Warriors coach Michael Nees.
Mbeba is expected to provide leadership on the pitch at the regional tournament set for Bloemfontein, South Africa from next Wednesday.
As was revealed by the Zimpapers Sports Hub last week, Nees confirmed to the media yesterday that the COSAFA will be a development platform, which will also kick-start the preparations for the 2028 Olympic qualifiers.
The Olympics are a tournament exclusively for the Under-23 sides.
It is against this background that Nees said they had picked players who would fit the bill when it comes to the Olympics age limit and this meant Simon Marange’s COSAFA Under-20 who reached the semi-finals make up the bulk of the side.
Marange will take charge at the COSAFA Cup and be assisted by Joel Lupahla.
“As you know, in the COSAFA Cup, I think the last time, it actually has two objectives. First of course, to perform as good as possible. On the other side, to basically feed the national team with players, to give them match opportunities,” said Nees.
The German coach said they were not concerned much about the results but the development aspect. Zimbabwe, who are one of the most successful countries at the tournament with six titles in the bag, have fared badly at the COSAFA Cup since 2019.
“In the last eight years, I think it was the last time that you reached the semi-final in the COSAFA Cup. So basically, if you think really back, both objectives were not 100 percent achieved.
“So, we were elaborating and thought a little bit more to focus on the development aspect, focusing on the team that is eligible for the 2028 Olympics; not 100 percent, but to a large degree, because that qualification will start next year, most likely in September. If you want to be a serious contender, then you would have to start (preparations) now.”
Nees said Zimbabwe need to believe in young players and afford them opportunities to showcase their talents.
“I think we are also not living in a, how do you call it, gerontocracy, where only old people are taken care of. We also have a duty to look after the younger people a little bit.
“As I said, it’s a squad, most likely the youngest in the tournament. I suspect the youngest. It’s players, half of them born in 2005-2006, which could be eligible for qualification in the Olympic Games, plus a few older players.
“And these older players will also not be super old. They will be in an age where they can really still evolve and maybe break into the A-national team very soon, if they haven’t been there already,” said Nees.
But he faced immediate criticism as the decision deprived top-performing players in the domestic Premiership a chance to make their case.
Premiership leading scorers Washington Navaya and Billy Veremu, Kundai Benyu of CAPS United and Highlanders’ Mason Mushore are some of the players who fell foul of the selection criteria.
“These players are not out, not at all. If the association would have decided to send a team like it was years before, not focusing strictly on development, these players most likely would have been there.
“But as I said again, it was an internal discussion and exchange, and it was then decided and agreed that we send such a team to the COSAFA Cup.
“Because we need to focus on development, we need to focus on performance also. But this is a very young team, maybe average age of 21 years. And I think it’s a very exciting team.
“The other players who are not there, they’re not out yet. But you also had the top scorer and this year he had a little bit of struggles. You know, sometimes players have a little bit of a high.
“So, it’s not only about scoring; sometimes it’s also about playing styles. But we observed them, the door is not closed,” said Nees.
There were, however, places for MWOS goalkeeper Martin Mapisa, Tinotenda Meke (Simba Bhora), Thando Ngwenya (FC Platinum), Allan Chapinduka and Simbarashe Takaedza (TelOne FC), Arter Kaseke (Ngezi Platinum), Vusa Ngwenya (Dynamos), Junior Makunike (Simba Bhora), Nisbert Muzenda (Ngezi Platinum), Prince Ndlovu and Mafios Chiweta (Highlanders), and Tanaka Munemo, also of Ngezi. ZIFA cast the net wide by including foreign-based players like Kurainashe Musanhi of Crystal Palace, Prosper Padera (SJK Seinajoki, Finland), Menzi Mazwi (Birmingham City, England), Kennedy Mupomba (Chelmsford FC, England), and Tanaka Cherera of Bury FC in England.
The COSAFA squad is expected to go into camp immediately after the weekend games.
“Actually, you should praise us for this courage. The other teams are already preparing for the COSAFA. We cannot prepare, the season is in full run.
“That team will be assembled Sunday or Monday. Three days later, they must play against a team that was prepared one and a half weeks earlier than them.
“Instead, you should be excited, you should be proud of the courage of the association and you should rally behind that team. The Under-20, didn’t compete badly last year. They were in penalties, just eliminated to go to the AFCON.
“A player in their mid-20s needs to perform outstandingly in the local league over a certain period of time to be considered for selection. You cannot develop them anymore, like 28 and wait until they’re 35,” said Nees.
At the tournament Zimbabwe will open their campaign next Wednesday against Mauritius.
Zimbabwe COSAFA squad:
GOALKEEPERS: Martin Mapisa (MWOS), Joseph Kaunda (Manica Diamonds), Tatenda Chikohwero (Ngezi Platinum).
DEFENDERS: Tashinga Mashonganyika (Ngezi Platinum), Allan Chapinduka (TelOne FC), Simbarashe Takaedza (TelOne FC), Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders), Arter Kaseke (Ngezi Platinum), Kurainashe Musanhi (Crystal Palace).
MIDFIELDERS: Prosper Padera (SJK Seinajoki, Finland), Menzi Mazwi (Birmingham City, England), Vusa Ngwenya (Dyna-mos), Junior Makunike (Simba Bhora), Nisbert Muzenda (Ngezi Platinum), Prince Ndlovu (Highlanders), Kennedy Mupomba (Chelmsford FC, England), Calvin Chigara (TelOne FC).
FORWARDS: Tinotenda Meke (Simba Bhora), Mafios Chiweta (Highlanders), Tanaka Munemo (Ngezi Platinum), Thando Ngwenya (FC Platinum), Tanaka Cherera (Bury FC, England), Denzel Mapuwa (GreenFuel).
