The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
Zimbabwe will be hoping for a better showing at this year’s Cosafa Under-17 Championship scheduled for Mauritius next month after being put in Group C that also has last year’s bronze medalists, Malawi.
At last year’s tournament that was held in the island nation, Zimbabwe received a 0-5 thrashing from Malawi. The Young Warriors scored only one goal, losing all their three group matches.
This year they have been paired with Angola, Malawi and Swaziland. Zifa communications manager, Xolisani Gwesela said they would be starting preparations in earnest to ensure a positive outcome. The 12-team tournament is scheduled to run from 19 to 29 July. Zimbabwe finished bottom of Group A last year after falling to Malawi, Mauritius (1-0) and got their consolation goal from captain, Tinotendaishe Benza in an encounter against Botswana which they lost 2-1.
Last year the side was under the tutelage of Moses “Bambo” Chunga who was relieved of the post by Zifa, who replaced him with Triangle assistant coach, Tafadzwa Mashiri, who went with the Young Warriors as an assistant coach. The top four at the African U-17 Nations Cup will represent the continent at the U-17 World Cup in Peru that will run from 17 September to 8 October next year.
Twelve of Cosafa’s 14 members participate in the southern African championship this year, which is the third year in a row it is being played in Mauritius.
Draw results
Group A: Mauritius (A1), Botswana (A2), Namibia (A3), Seychelles (A4)
Group B: Zambia (B1), Mozambique (B2), Lesotho (B3), South Africa (B4)
Group C: Angola (C1), Malawi (C2), Swaziland (C3), Zimbabwe (C4)
