happiness ChikwanhaSports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S Young Warriors will adopt a workmanlike approach when they open their account against minnows Swaziland in the Cosafa Under-20 Youth Championship which began in Lesotho yesterday. The match will kick off at 5:00pm. The Young Warriors, who last won the competition in 2007, will hope to get off to a good start in Group D which also includes neighbours and bronze medallists from the previous edition Botswana.
Speaking from the Lesotho capital Maseru yesterday, team manager Patrick Mutesva, said enthusiasm was high in the Zimbabwe camp as a number of their players were eager for a flying start to their youth international careers.
Most of the players in the Zimbabwe squad will be wearing the national team colours for the first time this evening and Mutesva said there was great spirit when they had their last training at the match venue yesterday. Zimbabwe has a rich history in the regional tournament but the team performed badly in the last edition in 2011 as they bowed out in the group stages. Some of the names to look out for include the
Motor Action duo of Walter Musona and Wisdom Mutasa, CAPS United’s Ronald Pfumbidzai, Munyaradzi Nyenye (Harare City), Praise Tonha of Monomotapa and Hwange’s Pritchard Mphelele who made their mark at their Premiership teams in the just-ended season.
Then we have the exciting prospects like Brett Amidu who is contracted to South Africa’s AmaZulu and highly-rated Prince Edward High School student Tino Kadewera. Coach Jairos Tapera and his men will fancy their chances as their opponents have often struggled in this tournament and have not won a match since 2004.
Final Squad
Tatenda Makuruva (Dynamos), Benard Donovan, Walter Musona, Wisdom Mutasa (all Motor Action), Ronald Pfumbidzai, Takudzwa Mahori (Caps United), Pritchard Mphelele (Hwange), Teenage Hadebe (Bantu Rovers), Praise Tonha (Monomotapa), Munyaradzi Diro-Nyenye (Harare City), Michael Maipe-Ngwena (Black Mambas), Emmaculate Mauna, Livingstone Genti, Jimmy Kanono (all FC Platinum), Carlos Rusere (DC Academy), Liberty Chakoroma (Buffaloes), Tafadzwa Kutinyu (Notwane, Botswana), Brett Amidu (AmaZulu, South Africa), Tinotenda Kadewera (Prince Edward High School), Mgcini Sibanda (Highlanders)
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