adminIt will be Jairos Tapela’s first match in charge of the Young Warriors.
The last time Barbourfields Stadium played host to a national team was in 2010 when South Africa’s Amajita came for a friendly match against the Young Warriors.
The last time the Zimbabwe senior national team played at the venue was during the Cosafa tournament in 2009.
Jonathan Mashingaidze, the Zifa chief executive officer, said taking the match to Bulawayo was part of their plans of spreading national teams to other parts of the country.
He said his organisation was serious about the Warriors’ brand and they were going to arrange more matches to be played outside Harare.
“We have to prepare for the next Afcon as well as embrace preparations for the Brazil 2014 World Cup finals. We are serious about these campaigns and that is why we are bringing this game to Bulawayo. Remember, most of these Under-20s are our future team and we are saying to the people of Bulawayo come and support your next senior Warriors. We are going to need these boys for our 2013 Afcon finals, the World Cup 2014 qualifiers as well as 2015 Afcon qualifiers.
“After this, we want to take the national teams to Hwange, Gweru, Zvishavane and Mutare because they have facilities that meet Caf standards. What we will simply be doing is to take the Warriors brand throughout the country and we appeal to the corporate world and stakeholders to play their part in supporting this initiative starting with the Under-20s in Bulawayo,” said Mashingaidze.
In the past, Barbourfields used to play host to some Under-17, 20 and 23 matches as well as Cosafa senior challenge matches.
In 2007, Zifa brought the dead-rubber Afcon qualifier match against Malawi to Bulawayo and the Warriors won 3-1.
Bulawayo football lovers have in the past been denied opportunities to play host to the national teams.
Barbourfields Stadium meets the Fifa requirements to play host to international matches and countries can fly straight to Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo
International Airport. There are also upmarket hotels that can accommodate visiting teams.
Hopes are high that even after the Botswana game, competitive matches for the Afcon and World Cup qualifiers will be played in Bulawayo.
Meanwhile, the Young Warriors started their training camp yesterday in Harare.
Squad
K Magama, S Majachani, C Marion, K Kadewere, T Muswe, T Makoni, L Chakoronga, P Tembani, T Jeffrey, M Ruza, J Mugazamba, S Chavingira, M Nakamba, N Masuku, K Mahachi, C Ncube, E Moyo, K Moyo, R Madzongwa, L Hlanga, R Mabhena, P Mpakele, N Sibanda.
Online Reporter