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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Under-17 coach, Tafadzwa Mashiri and his technical team, are expected to work around the clock to come up with a competitive team for the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Games, set for this December.
The Young Warriors were included late for the draw, which had to be conducted again yesterday, following the inclusion of the Zimbabweans.
ZIFA had earlier withdrawn both the boys’ and girls’ teams from participating at the tournament arguing there was no football taking place in the country, due to the Covid-19 lockdowns.
But, the association were forced to give in to the intense criticism, especially from the media, and they ended up reconsidering their position.
Mashiri yesterday said they were looking to hit the ground running, after the draws were conducted, in Johannesburg.
“We are excited that we are now going to participate in the tournament,’’ the coach said.
“But, in terms of preparations, I think we are behind schedule because there was no football, taking place in the country, for over a year. “We need to hit the ground running, without wasting more time.
“The other teams that we will be competing against, at the tournament, have already started conducting training camps, yet we are still to assemble a side.
“We are glad for this opportunity, though.
“This tournament is very important because it gives our youngsters exposure to international football from a young age.
“This is also the pool where we draw our national Under-20, and the future national team.’’
The Young Warriors will return to the regional tournament, on the back of disappointing memories from last year, when they were kicked out of the COSAFA Men’s Under-17 Championship.
The team were sent back home, after one of the players failed an age eligibility test, leading to their disqualification.
Botswana, the Comoros Islands and Eswatini were also disqualified.
Mashiri yesterday said they will hope for thorough vetting to avoid a repeat of that embarrassment.
The Young Warriors are this year set to face hosts Lesotho.
They were drawn in Group A, together with Eswatini and Madagascar.
“My observation is that the groups are fairly balanced. In football these days there are no big or small teams.
“The developments at the recent senior COSAFA Cup, where teams like Eswatini went all the way to the bronze medal, show there is potential for any team to do well at the tournament.
“Last year, we had a promising start, after we played our first game and drew 1-1 with Angola.
“Unfortunately, we got disqualified because of circumstances that were beyond us.
“It was very unfortunate but just the feeling of being there was good for the boys. ‘’
There are 11 teams in the boys’ tournament.
Only the top team, and the best placed runners-up, from the three groups, will advance to the semi-finals.
In the girls’ category, Zimbabwe were also drawn in Group A, where they face traditional foes Zambia, Botswana and Comoros.
The tournament is expected to run from December 3-12 in Lesotho’s capital, Maseru.
Namibia and Comoros also joined the tournament after the initial draw was conducted last Friday.
“Ordinarily we would not have a situation with late entries, but for these particular competitions, we feel it is justified given that our mandate is to develop football in the region, and this is a key age-group in that regard,” COSAFA general-secretary, Sue Destombes, said.
“For that reason, we have accepted the requests of these countries and welcome then to what we believe will be two fantastic competitions in Maseru.”
AU Region 5 Youth Games Under-17 Boys draw
Group A: Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Madagascar
Group B: South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Mauritius
Group C: Zambia, Malawi Seychelles
AU Region 5 Youth Games Under-17 Girls draw
Group A: Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Comoros
Group B: South Africa, Mauritius, Namibia
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