adminnational Under-20 team had shoddy preparations since resuming camp in Bulawayo on Sunday amid allegations that they went without food on the first day.
On Tuesday, the players briefly boycotted training in the morning claiming that Zifa were insensitive to their plight.
Their trip to Botswana remained uncertain until they left late on Wednesday, giving them only a chance to train at the match venue yesterday.
Zifa chief executive, Jonathan Mashingaidze, told The Chronicle that the national association was broke and their plight needed to be appreciated by everyone involved in the national game.
Mashingaidze said Zifa, who are sitting on a mountain of a US$2 million debt, needed to be supported as they were sacrificing a lot just to keep the teams competitive.
Team manager Lloyd Chinawa yesterday said morale was now high in the camp ahead of the clash in Molepolole.
Zimbabwe are carrying a healthy 4-0 lead from the first leg in Bulawayo two weeks ago and look set to enter the next round where they will meet Angola.
“We arrived well and we have no complaints at all about the treatment we are getting.
“The players are back in high spirits and we have managed to train at least at the match venue which is an artificial turf.
“But we will not train tomorrow (today) because the coach is giving the players time to rest before the game at 7pm,” said Chinawa.
Chinawa said all the players managed to train yesterday, giving the technical team wide options for selection.
“All the players are geared up for the game despite the earlier logistical challenges.
“There are no injuries to worry about and I am sure we will qualify to the next stage,” said Chinawa.
Young Warriors coach Jairos Tapera has made only one change to the side that thumped the Young Zebras as he brought in Lawrence Ncube to replace Crispen Ncube in defence.
Meanwhile, long serving juniors coach Lloyd Chigove has been appointed the new mentor for the Under-17 team.
Chigove takes over from Elvis Chiweshe, who had been appointed to the post, before moving to Botswana last year.
Chicken Inn assistant coach Mandla Mpofu and Weekly Mwale are the assistant coaches while former Buymore team manager, Richard Mutasa, assumes the same role.
Online Reporter
- Herald
- June 4, 2026
- 33 views
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