adminThe Young Warriors will play two friendly matches against Zambia today at Gwanzura and tomorrow at Lafarge.
Expectations are high that the Young Warriors will rise to the occasion and snatch an away victory and progress to the next round after being held to a 2-2 draw in the first leg at Gwanzura.
Defensive blunders by Young Warriors’ back line gifted Mozambique their goals while Zimbabwe got their goals through Tinotenda Kadewere from the spot and a second half effort by substitute Viala Tadzoka.
Coach Lloyd Chigowe believes their match against Zambia will go a long way in shaping his side.
“Zambia are obviously stronger opponents than Mozambique and we need to take the friendly match seriously as it will help us assess the right players for the return leg in Maputo,” said Chigowe.
“I believe we stand equal chances with Mozambique of progressing to the next round as I strongly believe our boys are better technically and tactically than them.
“In my humble analysis and evaluation of the first leg, had we not made silly mistakes we could have taken a lead over Mozambique.”
The former Douglas Warriors coach said they will stick to the team that played in the first leg and has ruled out chances of including players that were in South Africa for the Copa Coca-Cola Training Camp.
“We would have wanted to get the goalkeeper of the tournament (Copa Coca-Cola) into the squad but unfortunately the bone-testing exercise now limits us and all the boys that are in camp have been tested so we need to make another arrangement for those guys.
“For the second leg now we are sticking with the guys who played in the first leg but if we progress to the next round then we can consider them for the second round,” Chigowe said.
Meanwhile, the Young Warriors received a boost ahead of their friendly against Zambia when two local companies chipped in with groceries and warm-up T-shirts.
Online Reporter