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THE Zimbabwe Under-17 football team are confident of doing well when they get their COSAFA Championships underway on Friday with a group match against Swaziland in Mauritius.
The Young Warriors, a delegation of 20 players and five technical members, arrived in the resort island after they left the country in batches of three during the weekend.
Last year, again in Mauritius, the team bowed out at the group stages without a single victory.
But coach Tafadzwa Mashiri told the official ZIFA website they have done their homework.
This year’s edition is very crucial in that it carries an automatic ticket for the winner to participate at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Tanzania.
The top four teams at the continental tournament will represent Africa at the World Cup in Peru next year.
The Young Warriors will also meet Malawi next Monday, the same neighbours who hammered them 5-0 last year.
Zimbabwe round up the group stages next Wednesday with a match against Angola.
“We are wearing a brave face, despite the limited time we have had to prepare for the games, we are aspiring to better our performance from the previous edition.
“We just want to go there and do our best, hoping to make it to the knock-out stage.
“We are working hard to get the players into the right physical condition. The good thing is that they are technically sound, so we will continue working on their fitness.
“There has been a lot of improvement already and there is more to come from the boys,” said Mashiri.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Malcolm Louis Tendayi Mapondera, Gerald Munashe Sibanda.
Defenders: Cossam Junior Bandason, Blessed Tafadzwa Dzingai, Malvern Soko, Macdonald Keith Tawanda, Malvern Hativagoni.
Midfielders: Onward Munashe Manyeruke, Ethan Simbarashe Moyo, John Hazem Bonomali, Simbarashe Terrence Madzivire, Wesley Tinotenda Chitsumba, Sibusiso Ishmael Moyo, Oscar Bhebhe.
Strikers: Tapiwa Mandinyenya, Tinotenda Faber Munengami, Thandolwenkosi Methuseli Ngwenya, Zubair Ali, Tanaka Element Matenga.
Technical team: Tafadzwa Mashiri (head coach), Mike Madzivanyika (assistant coach), Julius Ndlovu (goalkeeper’s coach), Jabulani Zwangobani (team manager), Thomas Marambanyika (HOD).
Online Reporter