The Sunday News
YOUNG Warriors team manager Charles Mukaronda says the national Under-23 men’s team is ready to finish off Cameroon and book a ticket to the All Africa Games.
Zimbabwe face Cameroon in the second leg of the final qualifier at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde carrying a 1-0 lead after Wisdom Mutasa’s solitary strike at Rufaro ensured victory.
Kick-off is 4 pm.
Speaking from the team’s camp in Yaoundé last night Mukaronda said coach Kallisto Pasuwa had challenged his charges to put behind all the drama that characterised their camp.
“The technical team told the boys that this is a very important match not only to the nation but to the individual players themselves and I can tell you the boys are raring to go,” said Mukaronda.
Tsholotsho FC defensive midfielder Gerald “Cheeseboy” Takwara, who was uncompromising in the first leg, is expected to give Pasuwa’s men the much needed solidity in the middle of the park and allow skipper Mutasa and Praise Tonha to search for the all important away goal.
However, the Young Warriors, who were expected to have a feel of the match venue yesterday, face a strengthened opponent from the one that came to Harare as the West Africans have been boosted by the arrival of at least six professionals from European clubs as well the Argentina-based Nji Fifen.
Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper André Ako and Germany-based right back Fabien Thokomeni are some of the players coach Pierre Ndjilli has roped in as they seek to reverse the damage suffered in Harare.
The highly rated Thokomeni underlined the importance of today’s match when he spoke to Cameroonian media.
“The primary objective is the qualification ahead of Zimbabwe on Sunday (today). From there we can then start talking about the Olympics and integrating into Lions A,” Thokomeni was quoted as saying.
Ndjilli, meanwhile, on Friday told Camfoot that his charges will take to the field with a winning mentality.
“It is in a spirit of a winner (that I take to this match). First, I am a winner in the skin and it is now necessary to please the Cameroonians. I am pleased with all the players who came for the match,” said Ndjilli.
