Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE Under-17 coach Thulani Sibanda has called on his players to give their all when they face Comoros Monday afternoon (today) in a final Group A match that will decide their fate in the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2026 | COSAFA Qualifiers.
The Young Warriors are hanging precariously with just a point from their opening two matches following the 0-1 defeat to Mozambique and the goalless draw against Eswatini.
Comoros lead Group A with four points, thanks to the 3-0 thrashing of Eswatini and the nil-all draw against Mozambique.
The Mozambicans are also on four points ahead of the midday kickoff against Eswatini at the Heart Stadium today.
Calculators could be needed at the end of the day. For that to happen, Zimbabwe will be praying that Eswatini upset the technically sound Mozambicans while they ride on home advantage to claim victory over log leaders Comoros.
If that happens all the teams will end on four points and the head-to-head tie-breaker will kick in. According to the tournament rules, only the top team will progress to the semi-finals. There is also an opening for the best-placed runner-up from the three groups to proceed to the last four.
Young Warriors coach Thulani Sibanda understands the gravity of the job in his hands.
“I think we just have to be a bit more intense; we just have to be calm and not get carried away by the crowd. Unfortunately, these are 15–16-year-olds but we just have to control that element of anxiety.
“What we need to do is start the game as if it ends in five minutes. If we wait to score later it becomes difficult. Once we get an early goal, the rest becomes history,” Sibanda said.
The tournament is significant for the 12 participating nations as only the top three will proceed to next year’s Under-17 AFCON which will also be a qualification platform for the 2026 FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
FIXTURES
Today: Eswatini vs Mozambique (Heart Stadium, 1pm), Zimbabwe v Comoros (Ngoni Stadium, 3-m)
Online Reporter