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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIFA is likely to send an Under-23 side to next year’s Cosafa Senior Men’s Challenge Cup set to be held in South Africa in August.
The senior national team was dissolved by the Cuthbert Dube led Zifa board after a disastrous World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with the motherbody saying focus was now on junior development.
The Young Warriors became their top priority.
Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela said the status quo hasn’t changed and the Young Warriors will continue their progression into a full strength national team.
“Our aim is that the Under-23s will be a side that transforms itself into the senior national team. At the moment we are not talking about the national team. There is no national team to talk about and naturally, we don’t have a national team coach,” said Gwesela.
He said Callisto Pasuwa remains the Young Warriors gaffer and when the time comes for a national team coach to be appointed, announcements will be made.
“This is why we are having the Young Warriors play as many international friendly matches as possible, the aim is to have them turn into the senior squad,” said Gwesela.
The appointment of Pasuwa and his entire staff of Nation Dube, Saul Chaminuka and Tembo Chuma has not yet been endorsed by the Zifa board as per the association’s constitution.
The Young Warriors have a busy 2015 programme with qualifiers for the 2015 DR Congo Under-23 African Championships, 2015 Congo Brazaville All- Africa Games and the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Qualifiers of the Under-23 African Championship begin in April 2015.
Online Reporter