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Mandla Mpofu

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Young Warriors go into camp on Sunday to begin preparations for their crucial Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations second leg qualifier against Botswana in Lobatse on April 22.

The Young Warriors suffered a 0-1 loss in the first leg played at Barbourfields Stadium, with analysts blaming the team’s chaotic preparations.

Zifa general secretary Jonathan Mashingaidze yesterday said the boys would set up base in Bulawayo before leaving for Botswana in midweek.

“We are working on the logistics, but I can confirm that we expect the team to be in camp on Sunday before we leave in midweek for the clash,” said Mashingaidze.

Coach Jairos Tapera and his technical staff will have three days of preparations for this crucial tie and will hope it’s adequate to overturn the tables and book a place in the finals. Prior to their visit to Bulawayo, Botswana had been in camp for two weeks and they never broke-up the camp after the match.

It has not been an easy road for the boys, who seem to be neglected compared to the senior national team. The team was reportedly abandoned after the first leg encounter, with Zifa officials not visiting them in camp.

Zifa vice-president Omega Sibanda was shocked that the national association’s finance department had not even bothered to visit the team.

“The boys were stranded as they had no money to go back to their respective homes. Team manager Patrick Mutesva had to fork out his personal money to give to the boys so that they could return home. Those Zifa guys came from Harare, but did not bother to arrange for the players’ welfare,” said a Young Warriors official.

However, Mashingaidze yesterday pleaded ignorance over the players’ ordeal.

“I am hearing it from you for the first time. The technical department never brought this to our attention; we don’t have it in their report,” said Mashingaidze.

A significant number of the Warriors’ squad are all graduates of the Under-20 squad.

Zimbabwe are making a return to the tournament after being banned by Caf for not fulfilling fixtures during the Cuthbert Dube Zifa administration.

The 20th edition of the Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations will be held in Zambia from February 26 to March 12, 2017.