adminThe Young Warriors had been scheduled to leave for Botswana by road yesterday but they failed to do so due to lack of transport.
This means that the national Under-20 team that carries a 4-0 advantage will, justlike the first leg played at Barbourfields a fortnight ago, have one day to familiarise with the venue.
They are now expected to leave anytime today, meaning they will get to Gaborone in the evening and tomorrow they will have a light training session at the match venue and then take on wounded Young Zebras at the University of Botswana ground on Friday afternoon.
Despite the hiccups on their travelling plans, the Young Warriors’ gaffer Jairos Tapera was confident that his boys would sail through to the next round.
He said they would not be complacent and would seek more goals in Gaborone.
“Logistical challenges have led to us leaving tomorrow and there is nothing I can do about that. I can only comment on my boys’ level of preparedness, which I feel they are in the right direction. We have utilised the day we had here and I believe we will go through to the next round.
“However, we are not going there to defend but to play our normal game, attack and get a goal or so because if we lay back we are bound to make mistakes. We expect a new ball game altogether and probably pin them down if possible. We are not worried about how they play and we just have to have a better game plan,” said Tapera.
Repeated efforts to get comment from the Zifa chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze were fruitless as his mobile went unanswered.
The Young Warriors are already a step into the next round where they will meet Angola on 28 July.
Tapera said he will not be making any changes to the team that beat Botswana 4-0 at Barbourfields Stadium a fortnight ago.
He is likely to bank on his players who scored in that game that is Munyaradzi Chiwara who got a brace, Edmore Tsoro and Knox Mutizwa.
Tapera said Chiwara who has been having a running tummy trained with the team yesterday and will be assessed by the doctor before the team’s departure today. The midfielder missed the Young Warriors’ training game against Highlanders on Sunday where they won 2-0.
Another midfielder Farai Madora picked a knock during the national Under-20 2-0 win against Highlanders and will have to pass a late fitness test. In the matches against Bosso, the Young Warriors got their goals from a 33rd minute long-range strike by Edmore Tsoro with substitute Mgcini Sibanda chipping over Ariel Sibanda late in the second half.
“I think it will not be fair to change a winning team and as such, I am likely to maintain the same team that beat Botswana. We cannot afford to change the team now because we have little time to prepare for this tie. We will make changes in future competitions,” Tapera said.
Skipper Willard Kalongoda, the Moyo twins Elvis and Kelvin, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Nqobizitha Masuku, Tsoro and Mutizwa are expected to carry the day for Zimbabwe in Botswana.
The Young Zebras are likely to bank on goalkeeper Neo Kenalemang who plays for Gaborone United, Taffic FC midfielder and skipper Ogomoditse Baoline and striker Unobatsha Mbaiwa who turns out for lower division club Delta Winds.
Zimbabwe should also look out for Wongare Kaekwe of Township Rollers,Eric Molefhi of Mochudi Centre Chiefs, Notwane’s Langa Mabuli and Shadreck Kgosietsile of Gaborone United who have Premiership experience.
Online Reporter