The Zimbabwe under-23 team is expected to leave for South Africa this morning for their crucial CAF Under-23 championship qualifier with the hope of upstaging Amagluglug at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday night.
Despite the young warriors’ training being marred with chaos, ZIFA spokesperson Xolasani Gwesela confirmed that all the travelling arrangements have been made and the youngsters are expected to leave for South Africa tomorrow morning.
“All have been set and the team will be leaving on Friday morning aboard Air Zimbabwe and the tickets have already been purchased courtesy of FC Platinum Holdings and we would like to thank them for partnering the association in these difficult times,” revealed Gwesela.
Zimbabwe were held to a 1 – 1 draw in their first leg encounter at Rufaro stadium and they desperately need a win in South Africa, or get at least, a scoring draw of two goals in a crucial encounter.
Young Warriors’ camp has been rocked with chaos all week as one problem to another affected their short training at Greendale Sports Club ahead of the do-or- die encounter.
ZIFA have been struggling to raise the much need $7,000 for air tickets to travel to South Africa earlier this week and the trip hanged in the balance until they were bailed out by FC Platinum Holdings.
The drama continue to unfold as young warriors coach Calisto Pasuwa skipped most of the training sessions this week over unpaid salaries and allowances he had been promised by the mother board and it is still uncertain whether he will travel with the team.
Pasuwa is owed nearly $10 000 in salaries and allowances since he was appointed the gaffer of the young warriors and ZIFA has been failing uphold their end of the deal.
The young warrior’s yesterday afternoon training was cancelled when ZIFA failed to provide them lunch as the youngsters went on a hunger strike.
“We cancelled the afternoon training session because we were hungry. We had substandard breakfast and we went on to train, but we had nothing for lunch,” revealed one of the player.
Initially Pasuwa before he vanished he had returned the bulk of his players who played the first leg at Rufaro stadium two weeks ago.
The youngsters are likely to travel with assistant coach Nation Dube as their caretaker coach if Pasuwa’s issue is no resolved.
The winner will proceed to the 8-nations tournament in Senegal from November 28 to December 12 and the top three finishers at the continental event will earn a spot at Rio 2016.
Squad:
Tatenda Mkuruva, Donovan Bernard, Blessing Moyo, Prichard Mpelele, Lawrence Mhlanga, Teenage Hadebe, Tafadzwa Kutinyu, Carlos Rusere, Knox Mutizwa, Mgcinci Sibanda, Malvin Gaki, Thomas Chideu, Kudakwashe Mahachi, John Takwara, Walter Musona, Wisdom Mutasa, Praise Tonha, Jimmy Konono, Farai Mabhanhanga.
