Young Warriors coach wants long camp

Championships in Botswana from December 1-11.
Last year Zimbabwe were booted out in the semi-finals by the eventual winners Zambia.
And, this time around, the Monomotapa gaffer is leaving no stone unturned in his quest for victory at the annual developmental tournament.

Zimbabwe were drawn in Group D, together with Angola, Madagascar and last year’s finalists Namibia in a draw conducted early this week in Gaborone.
“It was a fair draw for us as there are no longer small or big teams,” said Mangwiro.
“We need to thoroughly prepare for the tournament. We will consult with the Zifa officials as we need more time to prepare with the team.

“The Germany camp did not materialise so we need enough time to prepare.
“We have names in place and there are a number of players doing well in the Premiership as well as Division One and this should form the bulk of our team.”
Mangwiro, one of the rising young coaches who has a big future ahead of him, said he also had the core of last year’s team in place.

“From last year’s team we still have eligible players with players like Marvellous Nakamba, goalkeeper Bheki Ndlovu, Kuda Mahachi, Willard Kalongoda and Morris Kadzola,” he said.
“We also have some players which we identified when we went for the Under-19 tournament in South Africa.
“We have a team but what is needed is to prepare because we don’t want to be found wanting.

“We want to do better last year where we bowed out in the semi-finals.”
Zimbabwe had a fair run in last year’s tournament, which again was held in Gaborone. This year 14 countries, including East African guests Tanzania, will descend on Gaborone once again they have been drawn into four groups.

At last year’s tournament, Young Warriors goalkeeper George Chigova was voted the best Cosafa goalminder after his exploits saw the Under-20 team conceding the least number of goals.
Bantu Rovers’ midfielder Kuda Mahachi was also voted into the Cosafa XI. The 2010 class, which bowed out in the semis, had players such as Lincolin Zvasiya, Simba Sithole and Denver Mukamba who have since graduated into the Under-23 and senior squad.

Draw
Group A: Botswana, Comoros, Swaziland, Mozambique.
Group B: Seychelles, Malawi and Lesotho.
Group C: Zambia, South Africa, Tanzania and Mauritius.
Group D: Angola, Madagascar, Namibia and Zimbabwe.