Young Warriors take on Kenya

YOUNG Warriors coach, Simon Marange says they will not be changing their style of play when they face Kenya this afternoon, in their second game in the four nations Under 20 invitational tournament, taking place in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Initially, four nations were scheduled to take part before Zambia withdrew their team, citing logistical challenges, to leave hosts Malawi, Zimbabwe and Kenya as participants.

In that regard, the tournament became a round-robin event with the three remaining countries scheduled to play each other.
Marange says they are working on a football identity for the junior national team.

“The approach doesn’t change. We were very clear from the word go that we wanted to play in the right way. The way we think the Zimbabwean player should play with a clear identity and culture and l am sure if you saw the first game, the patterns were clear on the pitch. We kept the ball as we wanted to. We created chances in the final third and we can be proud of that. We need to improve on certain areas because we are an improving team,” said Marange.

Madalitso Safuli and an Emmanuel Savel brace, got the goals for Malawi while Denzel Mapuwa grabbed a brace for the visitors.

“For a start, I think we put on a good performance. For most players, it’s the first time playing in the national team for 90% of the squad, so I think they gave a good account,” Marange said.

“We controlled most of the game, we lost the game on transition moments. The two goals that came in quick time were transition moments, where we lost a bit of shape while we had the ball and they were able to punish us,” he added.

At present, Marange is serving as the Orlando Pirates reserve team coach. He was promoted from the U21s of Orlando Pirates whom he coached from 2020-2023.

Between 2018 and 2020, Marange was the U17 coach of Orlando Pirates, winning the Future Champions Trophy, beating Osasuna, Club Brugge and Spartak Moscow on the way to the final, in a tournament boasting the likes of FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid as former winners.

The Under-20 tournament in Malawi will aid in developing and exposing elite youth talent while preparing teams for the upcoming 2024 AfconUnder-20 qualifiers, later this year. — @innocentskizoe