adminThey only had a light training session late in the afternoon at the match venue, a beautiful 5 000 seater stadium with an artificial surface and a tartan track.
The Young Warriors carry a handsome 4-0 lead after their emphatic win in the first leg in Bulawayo a fortnight ago.
The Zimbabwe Under-20 gaffer Jairos Tapera is confident of leading his charges to a positive result.
Despite the fatigue, Tapera said his boys were ready and called on Zimbabweans living in Botswana to come and support the team.
He warned his charges not to undermine the Batswanas.
“We are not here to fulfill a fixture but I believe we will face a much more organised Botswana side. They probably came up with the best formation to beat us after seeing how we play in the first leg. So we approach it as a new game altogether. We will not play to defend,” Tapera said.
Munyaradzi Chiwara, double scorer in the first leg, who missed last Sunday’s training game against Highlanders due to a running tummy, has fully recovered and is likely to start in the midfield.
Tapera is likely to have livewire Kudakwashe Mahachi on the left side of the midfield with Chiwara and Nqobizitha Masuku playing as twin anchormen while Farai Madora takes to the right side of midfield.
Edmore Tsoro who was on target in Bulawayo will play behind Knox Mutizwa.
Tonderai Mateyaunga is likely to reclaim the number one spot with skipper Willard Kalongoda, Elvis Moyo, Lawrence Mhlanga and Vincent Mbira forming the defence.
Botswana coach China Matlhaku yesterday confirmed he will be missing three of his players who played the first leg at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo a fortnight ago.
The Young Zebras’ preparations have been shabby with some of the players failing to make it to camp due to school commitments.
“We started proper preparations on Monday but most of the players could not attend training sessions because of school commitments. So in terms of preparations there’s no improvement, it’s still the same challenges we faced before we travelled to Bulawayo.
“Three of the players who went to Zimbabwe are also not there for this game,” Matlhaku said.
He admitted that overturning the 4-0 deficit will be difficult. “We are going to try our best although it will be difficult. So we won’t rest on our laurels and say they have won,” he said.
Kick off time is 7pm.
Zimbabwe’s probable 11
Tonderai Mateyaunga, Willard Kalongoda, Elvis Moyo, Vincent Mbira, Lawrence Mhlanga, Nqobizitha Masuku, Edmore Tsoro, Farai Madora, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Munyaradzi Chiwara, Knox Mutizwa
Online Reporter