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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
A 20- MEMBER Zimbabwe Under-20 squad flies out to South Africa this morning for the 2016 PPC sponsored Cosafa Under-20 Championship that gets underway on Wednesday.
The tournament that will run from December 7- 16 will be staged at the Mogwase and Moruleng Stadiums.
“The team will fly out tomorrow morning aboard an Air Zimbabwe flight to Johannesburg and once there Cosafa will take over,” the Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela said yesterday.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Rookie of the Year Prince Dube will lead Zimbabwe’s charge for glory where they were drawn against Zambia and Malawi in Group B. Ngezi Platinum’s 18 year old shot stopper Nelson Chadya will keep goals for Zimbabwe. Team manager Patrick Mutesva said morale in the camp was high and the boys were looking forward to the tournament.
“The advantage we have is that a number of the boys have been active and we hope the premiership experience will come in handy. I am sure the boys will do the nation proud,” said Mutesva.
Zimbabwe has won the Cosafa Under-20 tournament six times, their last victory coming in 2007 where they ran over hosts South Africa, beating them 3-0 under Taurai Mangwiro and Methembe Ndlovu. The team had the likes of Knowledge Musona, Khama Billiat and Chicken Inn’s Guide Goddard.
Zimbabwe finalised their preparations with a friendly match against Dynamos on Friday that ended in a 3-3 stalemate.
Zimbabwe Cosafa Under-20 final squad
Goalkeepers: Nelson T.Chadya, Kelvin T.Shangiwa
Defenders: Last Kapuya , Derwin Phiri ,Angels D.Mawere , Bukhosi Ncube, Simbarashe C.Chamanikire Frederick Dzeka
Midfielders: Learnmore Munyambo , Amos T.Ncube, Bright T.Majamanda , Bukhosi Sibanda, Clive Rupiya, Blessing Sibanda , Barnabus Mushunje
Strikers: Prince Dube, King.B.Nasama , Jerry Chipangura ,Thomas Kudyaridzire, Nqobile Ndlovu
Technical team
Mandla Mpofu (Head coach), Biggie Zuze (Assistant Coach), Laban Kandi (Goalkeepers’ coach), Patrick Mutesva (Team manager), Cassidy Banda (Kit manager), Sam Chaurura (Physiotherepist),
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