adminFrom Paul Mundandi, in Zvishavane
ZIMBABWE Under-20 coach Jairos Tapera says his troops want to win Cosafa Youth tournament set to begin next week in Maseru, Lesotho. The team, which has been camping here in Zvishavane for the last two weeks, is scheduled to leave this town for Harare this morning before catching a flight to Johannesburg on Sunday.
The Young Warriors will then travel by bus to Lesotho for the tournament which kicks off next Tuesday in Maseru and ends on December 14.
“We are surely going to compete and do the best we can so that we bring the trophy here.
“I am aware of the threat posed by some of the teams we are going to face as most nations have suddenly put a lot of money in development,” said Tapera.
Most teams have been in camp for more than three months but due to financial challenges the Zimbabwe side could only camp in Zvishavane for two weeks, thanks to an offer from Mimosa to host them.
A lot of individuals in this town have been donating foodstuffs and water to the Young Warriors who are in high spirits.
Zimbabwe will get the ball rolling next Wednesday when they engage Botswana before playing Swaziland the next day.
“Most of the players, including those playing in the Premiership, are coming from academies and that has made my job very easy.
“I feel the academies have helped the nation on the development of football.
“I am surprised that Tafadzwa (Kutinyu) is playing in Botswana. He is brilliant and I feel he should be playing here or in some better country.
“I have been also impressed by Wisdom (Mutasa), Walter (Musona) Donovan (Benard), Teenage (Hadebe), Munyaradzi (Nyenye), Pritchard (Mpelele) and Bret (Amidu).
“They are very good youngsters and I feel they are going to be the backbone of the national team because they are very good.”
Tapera feels Amidu and FC Platinum left attacking midfielder Emmaculate Mauna could become the big stars of Zimbabwe football in the near future.
“I am happy with my team as well as the technical team who are working so hard for the good of the nation. The tournament is a very good platform for the players,” said the veteran coach
Cosafa Under-20 Youth Championships Groups
Group A: Lesotho, Kenya, Comoros, Mauritius
Group B: Angola, Mozambique, Madagascar
Group C: Zambia, South Africa, Namibia, Seychelles
Group D: Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland.
Online Reporter