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YOUNG WARRIORS captain Ben Musaka has challenged his colleagues to lay down a marker through a classy display when they take on Botswana in an Under 20 African Cup of Nations 2017 qualifier at Barbourfields this afternoon.
The match marks a return to international football for an age group team that last played international football at the Cosafa Under-20 tournament in 2013.
Coach Jairos Tapera is trying to build a team using some of the most talented youngsters in the country and the armband has been handed to Bantu Rovers man Musaka.
The Young Warriors skipper reckons the game against Botswana gives them a chance to assure the nation that the future of Zimbabwean football is in the right hands.
“This is the first time that almost everyone in the team will be playing international football and we are all excited about the development,” said the defensive midfielder.
“It is very important that we win this match and qualify for the Nations Cup so that we can be the foundation on which the future of local football is built upon.
“We also hope that a good performance in these qualifiers will see us graduate into the Under-23s and eventually the senior national team as a group.
“We are inspired by our seniors like (Knowledge) Musona and Khama (Billiat), Marvelous Nakamba and Kuda Mahachi who played together in junior national teams and are now doing very well with the senior team.”
The finals of the youth tournament will be held next year in Zambia.
Team manager Patrick Mutesva said morale is very high in camp and appealed to football fans to throng Barbourfields, for as little as $1 for the rest of the ground, in support of the future stars.
“You will be aware that we had to assemble a new team very quickly after the ban that was imposed on us but we remain very confident that we will make an impression,” said Mutesva.
“Morale is very high in camp and the boys want to prove that they are indeed the future Warriors and people should start taking them seriously.
“We are confident, we have done our homework and are convinced that the boys we have in camp are genuinely under the age of 20 years,” said the manager.
Some of the players expected to carry the day for Tapera this afternoon include the Chicken Inn attacking duo of striker Thomas Kadyaridzire and midfielder Amos Ncube.
Dynamos left back Kudzanai Nyakasaka, Caps United goalie Issa Ali and speedy Harare City striker Tanaka Ruzvidzo are also available for selection.
Online Reporter