Online Reporter
Curtworth Masango-Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Young Warriors have arrived in Mauritius carrying a two-goal cushion, but coach Marc Sanchez insists their job is far from complete ahead of Tuesday’s decisive second leg of the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Zimbabwe seized control of the tie with a 2–0 victory in the first leg at the National Sports Stadium, where goals from England-based forward David Chigwada and Nisbert Muzenda rewarded a disciplined performance by the hosts.
The result leaves the Young Warriors needing to protect their advantage in Mauritius to progress to the next round of the continental qualifiers.
However, Sanchez does not want his players to approach the return fixture believing qualification is already secured.
“We still have to finish the job in the next match,” said Sanchez.
The Young Warriors showed encouraging signs in the reverse fixture, controlling key periods of the match and restricting Mauritius while creating enough opportunities to establish a valuable advantage.
Sanchez is expected to demand another organised performance away from home, with discipline and concentration likely to be crucial against a Mauritius side that has no option but to attack.
An early goal for Zimbabwe would leave the hosts needing four to advance outright, but Sanchez’s men will also be wary of sitting too deep and inviting sustained pressure.
While qualification remains the immediate target, Sanchez said the Under-23 programme was also designed to build a strong pathway into the senior Warriors squad.
“Our first objective is to help these players develop, become better players and prepare them for the next stage of their careers,” he said.
“We also want to prepare them for the future and give them an opportunity to progress into the senior national team.
“We have very good and talented players in this squad. Their effort and attitude have been amazing since we started working with them.
“It is difficult to predict how far each player will go, but if they continue working with the same commitment and attitude, most of them could be playing for the senior national team as early as next year.”
The campaign has already provided several emerging players with valuable international exposure, while also allowing Sanchez and his technical team to assess their ability to cope with the demands of knockout football.
Chigwada and Muzenda will travel with renewed confidence after finding the target in the first leg, while Daryl Zulu, Joseph Kaunda, Jayden Garthwaite, Elisha Pfupa and Allan Chapinduka are among those seeking to play their part in completing the assignment.
The travelling squad also includes Vernon Masara, Miles Bracking, Takudzwa Gwanzura, Prosper Padera, Tatenda Chikowero, Elshaddai Sadomba, Jayden Mnikwa, Richard Nkomo, Tanaka Munemo, Gary Junior Chibika, Last Chigumbu, Seith Chingwaro and Taropafadzwa Wafawarova.
