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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
THE national Under-21 and 18-and-Under men’s handball teams are hopeful they will rise to the occasion when they compete in the International Handball Federation Zone VI Challenge Trophy that get underway today in Lusaka, Zambia. The teams left for Zambia yesterday for the regional event that will run until Saturday with eight countries taking part. The tournament is serving as a qualifier for the World Youth (18-and-under) and World Juniors (Under-21) championships next year.
Speaking at a send-off function held at Girls High School on Sunday, 18-and-under coach Sipho Mahlangu said the fact that the youths will be competing at this stage for the first time is a motivation in itself. The regional tournament previously catered for the Under-20 before the format changed this year with the introduction of the 18-and-under age group.
“I think for us, especially for the boys, it’s a motivating factor, they are really raring to go. And especially for the 18-and-Under it’s the first time again that this age-group has taken part in a competition of this magnitude. All along it has been for the Under-20. So for them it’s a first,” said Mahlangu.
The regional event will feature Seychelles and Madagascar from Zone VII.
The participating countries have been divided into two groups with the top two advancing to the semi-finals.
Zimbabwe’s first match is against Madagascar today in Group A before they clash with South Africa tomorrow. On Thursday they have a date against Swaziland in their final group game.
“It’s very crucial because I believe it’s going to give us a picture of where we are in the competition, whether we are going to make some progress.
‘‘And especially to the boys I believe that it’s a make or break game that can really maybe boost their confidence or put them in a situation where they find themselves under pressure because of that game.
“So we have said that as a team we really have to give it our best in that first game. It’s important that we win it so that it becomes a morale booster for us, so that when we play the second game against South Africa we are one or two steps into the semi-finals.
‘‘Our aim is to win the first game because I am confident if we win the first game we are in the semi-finals,” said Mahlangu It’s the same scenario in the Under-21 where Zimbabwe have been drawn against Madagascar, Lesotho and Seychelles. They will open their account with a game against Madagascar as well.
Zimbabwe will then face Lesotho tomorrow and conclude their group games with a match against Seychelles on Thursday.
Mahlangu, who was initially set to take charge of the Under-21, took over the 18-and-Under side from Clemence Leonard, who is now the assistant coach.
Cephas Mushati, originally appointed assistant coach for the Under-21, was elevated to lead the team.
He will be assisted by Tatenda Kahonde. The changes were based on the recommendation of the Zimbabwe Handball Federation technical director Farai Gwisai.
Teams
Under-21: Kelvin Munemo, Arnold Beta, Clinton Sikupa, Simon Hama, Eyenegi Fenyengenye, Nyashadzashe Zunguza, Eugene Pedro, Gareth Jenkins, Takunda Matiyashe, Pabalo Siziba, Lot Ndlovu, Godfrey Maulana, Kudzai Masiko, Shelton Magamba.
18-and-under: Tanatswa Dzotizeyi, Charles Munyanyi, Khoitsi Dube, Vinecent Mufuka, Blessed Mukodza, Vivid Raza, Boangtsepo Mazhale, Brighton Ndimande, Bukhosi Sibanda, Patrick Dembo, Ronald Nala, Tinashe Tavaya.
Under-21 Groups
Group A: Madagascar, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Seychelles. Group B: Zambia, South Africa, Swaziland.
18-and-Under Groups.
Group A: Madagascar, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Swaziland. Group B: Zambia, Malawi, Lesotho, Seychelles.
Online Reporter