The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda in Mogwase, South Africa
ZIMBABWE Under-20 coach Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu feels the players with Premier Soccer League experience let him down at the Cosafa Youth Championship as he expected a lot from them.
The Young Warriors face an early elimination from the regional competition taking place in the North West province of South Africa if Zambia do not beat Malawi 4-0 when the two teams clash at Moruleng Stadium in the last Group B fixture this afternoon. Zimbabwe are at the bottom of the three-team group with just a point secured from a goalless draw with Malawi on Friday. The Young Warriors started off the competition on a horrible note when they were clobbered 5-1 by Zambia last Tuesday before they drew with Malawi.
In an interview after his side was involved in the goalless stalemate with Malawi at Moruleng Stadium, Mpofu felt having selected a lot of players who have tasted some action in the PSL, he anticipated that the team would have played much better than they performed so far.
“A poor show yes we really disappointed as a technical team and players so all Zimbabweans I know but I think when it comes to development I think these youngsters have learnt one or two things, of course they learnt it the hard way but I will appreciate the effort that they put at the end of the day.
It is just unfortunate I think I brought mostly three quarters of the players who have been playing in the Premier League maybe 15 out of the 20 players but they did not show what they can, what they have been doing throughout the season but these things happen but I guess at the end of the day development won,’’ said Mpofu.
From the 20 players Mpofu brought to South Africa, skipper Nelson Chadya(Ngezi Platinum Stars), vice-captain Bukhosi Sibanda (Bantu Rovers), Bukhosi Ncube, Prince Dube(both Highlanders), Learnmore Muyambo, Jerry Chipangura(both Harare City), Derwin Phiri(Triangle) are some of those who have played regularly in the PSL. Sibanda, part of the Bantu Rovers squad in the PSL in 2014 has just led Tshintsha Guluva to winning the Zifa Division One League which could secure them a return to the country’s top flight competition.
Zimbabwe, beaten semi-finalists the last time this tournament took place in 2013 in Lesotho are now counting on a favour from their northern neighbours Zambia to drub Malawi 4-0 this afternoon for them to sneak into second place and go on to play the top team from Group D in the knockout round.
A number of permutations could see the Young Warriors progress to the next round or head home as early as tomorrow. If Malawi lose 6-2 to Zambia, the Young Flames will stay second on number of goals scored. If Malawi are to be beaten 5-1, a Fair Play Points System based on the number of yellow as well as red cards they and Zimbabwe have received will determine who finishes bottom of the log. If that cannot separate them, a drawing of lots will be made.
On top of that, if Malawi lose 4-0 Zimbabwe will take over second spot on the basis of goals scored but if Malawi get beaten by fewer than four goals, they remain second and the Young Warriors would be heading home.
Mpofu, the rest of his technical team as well as the players will be monitoring the contest between Zambia and Malawi with a keen interest and are certain to be behind Zambia to pump four past Malawi without any form of reply from the Young Flames.
— @Mdawini_29
