admin
Bruce Chikuni
Sports Reporter
YOUNG Warriors coach, Simon Marange, has picked his provisional squad that is set to do duty in the COSAFA Under-20 tournament scheduled to start in Mozambique on September 26.
The competition which will run until October 5 has assumed greater significance this year in that it is also being used as the regional qualifier for the CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
One of the major highlights in Marange’s squad is the inclusion of some Diaspora-based players and that of Super-Sport United newboy Nokutenda Mangezi.
Mangezi impressed on his debut for the South African Premiership side, even sparking fears that SuperSport United may want to hold on to him when national duty calls with the Young Warriors. A potentially exciting partnership in attack is also in store for the Young Warriors following the inclusion of GreenFuel’s wonder kid, Denzel Washington Mapuwa.
Mapuwa was the best player at the Four-Nation tournament in Malawi last year when the Under-20 last played an international match.
He is back to lead the Young Warriors.
The Legends Academy graduate is now expected to be one of the leading lights along with Mangezi as he has also gained some experience from being part of the senior national team that took part in the 2024 COSAFA Cup under Jairos Tapera.
Blessed Mashonganyika, another Legends Academy prodigy and now on the books of reigning Premiership champions Ngezi Platinum Stars is also part of the squad. However, it is Mapuwa who has been rising through the ranks having also represented Zimbabwe at Under-17 level who will be the most seasoned of the squad that was unveiled by ZIFA yesterday.
The 19-year-old shared some of the targets he has set for himself with Zimpapers Sports.
“It is a great honour to be in the squad I’m greatly humbled by this recognition,” Mapuwa said.
“A lot has happened from the first time I made the same breakthrough.
“Expectations were not that high but it won’t be the same this time because I think I did well in Malawi and playing in the senior team also comes with a lot of demands.
“I’m not going to put myself under pressure but I know that I have to do better than what I did the last time out in Malawi,” said Mapuwa. Ngezi Platinum Stars schoolboy, Nesbert Muzenda is one of the players who also did well during that Four-Nation tourney in Malawi.
Marange, a youth coach on the books of South African Premier Soccer League giants Orlando Pirates, has also re-warded the promising midfielder Muzenda with the call-up. Muzenda is doing his A-Level studies at Wanganai High School in Mhondoro-Ngezi.
He has been part of the platinum miners’ side that won the 2023 Castle Lager Premiership, played in the Chibuku Super Cup, and also had a brief feel of life in the CAF Champions League.
This is because Ngezi did not go beyond the first preliminary round stage after being knocked out by Congolese side AS Maniema.
Zimbabwe Under-20 Provisional Squad:
Goalkeepers: Joseph Kaunda (Manica Diamonds), Michael Kubvedzi (ZPC Kariba), Tatenda Chikowero (Ngezi Platinum)
Defenders: Allan Karakadzai (Simba Bhora), Alla Chapinduka (TelOne FC), Hebert Dick Jr (Arenel Movers),
Blessed Mashonganyika (Ngezi Platinum), Kurainashe Musanhi (Crystal Palace), Mvelo Khoza (Highlanders)
Midfielders: Kennedy Mupomba (Chelmsford City FC), Alvin Antonio (Green Fuel), Denzel Mapuwa (GreenFuel), Prince Ndlovu (Highlanders), Kingsley Mureremba (CAPS United), Morris Musamba (Bikita Minerals), Enock Moyo (Bikita Miner-als), Tanaka Munemo (Ngezi Platinum), Nesbert Muzenda, (Ngezi Platinum), Sean Mzinde (Harare City), Prince Magondo (Black Rhinos), Mavel Mbedzi (Dynamos), Craig Ndlovu (Chicken Inn), Mafios Chiweta (Ajax Hotspurs), Munashe Munenzva
Forwards: Nokutenda Mangezi (SuperSport United), Nigel Banda (Highlanders), Tanaka Cherera (Bury FC),
Messi Gushero (Dulibadzimu FC)
Online Reporter