Tawah Munthali-Zimpapers Sports Hub
STAND-IN coach Wilsom Mutekede says the Zimbabwe Under-23 men’s football team will be looking to take a significant leap towards their maiden Olympic Games appearance when they host Mali in the first leg of their second-round qualifier at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.
The encounter also forms part of the qualification pathway for the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations, with the Young Warriors eager to make home advantage count and secure a positive result ahead of the return leg in West Africa next Tuesday.
Mutekede, who is the assistant coach of the Young Warriors, has been handed the responsibility to take charge of the team in the absence of head coach Marc Sánchez.
The Spaniard is away on national team duty with the senior side for the 2027 AFCON qualifier against Equatorial Guinea set for tomorrow in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
But Mutekede was pulling no punches when he faced the media yesterday, accompanied by Young Warriors captain Takudzwa Gwanzura.
The former ZIFA technical director is aware of the threat posed by the West Africans, whose squad boasts several players plying their trade in Europe.
However, Mutekede yesterday remained confident that Zimbabwe have the quality and determination to rise to the occasion.
“We are aware of the quality that Mali possess, and we know it will be a difficult encounter. But we are confident in our preparations, and we believe the boys can rise to the occasion,” said Mutekede.
Zimbabwe needs a positive start to this two-legged tie to keep their chances bright against a Malian side that recently qualified for the last Olympic Games hosted in France.
The West Africans secured qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after finishing third at the 2023 CAF Under-23 AFCON in Morocco and are regarded among the continent’s strongest teams at junior level.
Mutekede believes a strong home performance will be crucial, with his side keen to build a healthy advantage before travelling for the return fixture, which could be challenging in foreign conditions.
“We are at home, and we want to try and score as many goals as possible. We do not know how Mali will approach the game, but we will go into it with a positive mindset. It would be good to carry a comfortable lead into the second leg,” Mutekede said.
The Young Warriors will be looking to build on their positive start to the campaign after they thumped Mauritius 6-1 aggregate in the first round of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games qualifiers.
Elisha Pfupa and David Chigwada were the stand-out performers in that victory.
Portsmouth teenage sensation Pfupa was the absolute star of the round.
After operating as a winger in the first leg, he was deployed as a central striker for the second leg in Mauritius and netted a stunning first-half hat-trick, which was Zimbabwe’s first hat-trick at the Under-23 level in 26 years.
West Ham United prodigy Chigwada also displayed incredible consistency across both legs. He scored the crucial opening goal in the 2-0 first-leg win at the National Sports Stadium and followed it up by smashing home a spectacular fourth goal right before halftime in the second leg.
The Zimbabwe Under-23 squad has exciting prospects, which include the likes of Seth Chingwaro, Menzi Mazwi and Miles Bracking in the midfield, defenders Gwanzura, Jayden Munikwa, Dylan Tawodzera and TelOne’s Allan Chapinduka.
Unfortunately, they will miss captain Corbin Mthunzi and midfielder Prosper Padera.
Norwich City defender Gwanzura, who is standing in for the absent Mthunzi, has expressed delight at returning to the national team fold, describing the opportunity to represent the country as a special honour.
“It is always an honour to represent my country. The energy is high in camp, and we have managed to help the new players settle in and understand what is expected of them during this camp,” said Gwanzura.
Gwanzura praised his teammates for their commitment and hard work during preparations, saying the spirit in camp has given the squad confidence ahead of the crucial assignment.
“The boys have been working very hard in camp, and the commitment and determination shown by everyone gives us confidence going into this important match at home,” he said.
He added that the team has been concentrating on its own preparations rather than dwelling too much on the opposition.
“We have not been thinking much about Mali. Our focus has been on ourselves, particularly our game, because it is better to concentrate on what we can do to win the match,” he said.
Should Zimbabwe get past Mali over the two legs, they are likely to face Algeria, who are involved in a second-round showdown with Eswatini.
If the Young Warriors successfully negotiate both hurdles, they will secure a place at the eight-team Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations finals scheduled for Egypt next year. Only the top two teams from the continental event will qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Zimbabwe Under-23 squad:
Goalkeepers: Tatenda Chikowero (Ngezi Platinum), Joseph Kaunda (Manica Diamonds), Jayden Garthwaite (Aston Villa)
Defenders: Allan Chapinduka (TelOne), Takudzwa Gwanzura (Norwich), Jayden Munikwa (Norwich), Dylan Tawodzera (Huddersfield), Richard Nkomo (South Melbourne), Kristian Clark (Nottingham Forest
Midfielders: Miles Bracking (Norwich), Seth Chingwaro (Fulham), Tinashe Manyumba (Leicester City), Menzi Mazwi (Birmingham), Junior Chigumbu (Houtbay United), Garie Jr Brendon Chibika (Chicken Inn)
Forwards: Elisha Pfupa (Portsmouth), David Chigwada (Brentford), Vernon Masara (Peterborough), Reece Evans (Reading), Tanaka Munemo (Ngezi Platinum), Nisbert Muzenda (Ngezi Platinum), Darrel Jack Zulu (Manica Diamonds)
