adminGrace Chingoma Senior Sports Reporter
YOUNG Warriors coach Jairosi Tapera says he will retain the core of team which featured in the first round matches as time is no longer on his side to try some new combinations before the Sunday’s Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Cameroon at the National Sports Stadium.
The national Under-20 soccer team finally got down to business yesterday when they held their first training session, a workout which the coach had to congest with the important aspects as he races against time.
“We had the first workout this morning and we integrated everything from the physical fitness, the movements and trying to introduce the system we are going to play, everything in one hour or so we have been working but that is what is there.
“The only advantage that we probably have is that the core team that played against Botswana (in the first round) is there . . . They really know what we want and they are like leading the other new guys who have come in, showing them what we want.
“We failed to assess some of the new players who came for training as we have started our camp late and we might just make two or three changes, replacing the players who are out of this match,” Tapera said. The Dynamos duo of Peace Makaha and Tafadzwa Samuriwo have been ruled out of the Cameroon game.
Defender Makaha, who scored the second goal in Botswana after Bhukosi Ncube had unsettled the hosts with an early goal, will, however, miss Sunday’s match through suspension.
Samuriwo misses the same game through injury.
Tapera said they want to use the home advantage and come out with a good win in order to cushion themselves before they travel to the West African country for the return leg on June 10.
Online Reporter