admin
Curtworth Masango
Sports Reporter
THIS is it!
ZIMBABWE’S Young Warriors stand on the threshold of completing a fairy-tale come-back to the COSAFA Under-20 Championship after a three-year hiatus should they overcome old foes Zambia this afternoon and book their place in the final, (Kick-off 3pm)
The Young Warriors have been absent from the regional tournament for varying reasons in the last three years.
But they have made an impactful return topping Group A that include hosts Mozambique, Botswana, and Eswatini with an unbeaten run that was spiced by two wins and a draw.
However, coach Simon Marange and his next generation of Warriors face the biggest test of their tournament when they face Zambia in one of two finals before the final.
This is because the second semi-final pitting South Africa and Angola is another explosive battle.
Both matches are at the ABB stadium in Matola with South Africa and Angola taking to the pitch at midday before the second heavyweight contest between long-term rivals Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Marange, who is also on the books of South African Premiership giants Orlando Pirates where is a youth coach, knows that today’s game is the ULTIMATE TEST.
This is because victory will, more importantly, guarantee Zimbabwe one of two COSAFA slots at next year’s CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
With the Under-20 AFCON providing the qualifying platform for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Chile, the Young Warriors cannot afford to let slip the chance to secure their ticket to the continental tourney today.
Marange, who to his credit has guided his team to some improved performances as the tournament wore on, told Zimpapers Sports Hub from their base in Matola, that Zimbabwe, are ready to face what the Zambians will throw in their way.
He said he would adjust the Young Warriors game plan to try and outwit the Young Chipolopolo outfit that had appeared on the way out of the tournament before sneaking in as the best runners-up from the three groups.
“We have a strong technical team and I am grateful to them and the players. We will always tweak our game to match and nullify our opponents,” Marange said.
“We will see who will play and we will try to keep our strong points, and we will try to adapt to our opponents’ weaknesses.
“I prefer to have a fair passage to the final.
“I have looked at our opponents (in the semis). They are good. Now we are in a stage where we are emotionally, mentally and physically ready to play anybody,” he said.
After reviewing his defence that had been porous at the Four-nation tournament in Malawi, Marange has seen the Young Warriors only conceding a single goal in 270 minutes of group action.
Marange, whose team has also been playing some good direct football, believes that a good defence is one of the key elements of their game.
“Clean sheets are important, they give you a chance going forward as it allows us to try to find a goal without having pressure on us.
“We were very disappointed by failing to keep a clean sheet in the first game.
“Coming to this tournament our main goal was to take these youngsters to the biggest stage in Africa which is AFCON.
“Some of the boys will be moving out of this age group and it becomes our main goal to make sure they have the chance while age still allows.”
With just a place in the final securing AFCON qualification, Marange has to throw in his best side against the Zambians today and not leave anything to chance.
This a competition where winning the cup becomes a bonus as the bigger picture is on punching the ticket to the AFCON tourney.
And the Young Warriors have shown the pedigree.
Semi-final fixtures:
Angola v South Africa (12noon), Zimbabwe v Zambia (3pm)
Online Reporter