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By Noel Munzabwa
A Saul Chaminuka led Zimbabwe Young Warriors arrived here on Monday ahead of tonight’s international friendly against the Swaziland national team Sihlangu Semnikati set for Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba.
Zifa board member Fungai Chihuri is the head of delegation while Hwange coach Nation Dube is Chaminuka’s assistant and the team manager is Patrick Muteswa.

The Young Warriors were met at South Africa’s OR Tambo International Airport by National Football Association of Swaziland officials and immediately undertook an almost 400km road trip aboard a luxury bus donated by the South African Football Association.

The boys are housed at Lugogo Sun International situated in the plushy Ezulwini where they checked in ahead of two training sessions yesterday.

In a brief interview, Muteswa promised Sihlangu a good match.

“We’re here to play soccer and hopefully we’ll get the result. We appeal to the Zimbabweans living in Swaziland to come in their numbers to cheer the boys.

“To those that will come to support us and the Swazi soccer lovers, our promise is we’ll showcase what we have on offer.

“So far we’re happy with the hospitality accorded to us by the Football Association,” said Muteswa.

Chaminuka is leading the charges in the absence of Callisto Pasuwa who chose to be with his club, Dynamos, who lead the pack in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.

This will be the ZPC Kariba mentor’s second friendly after the 0-1 defeat to Botswana a fortnight ago.

The team’s arrival in this mountainous kingdom and Africa’s prominent monarchy, home to 1.2 million people and about 10,000 Zimbabweans working here, has already raised hopes of an exciting encounter. The Young Warriors are one of the success stories of Zimbabwean soccer and the team’s technical

department is confident of a win.

The friendlies are part of preparations for next year’s All Africa Championship qualifiers whose finals will be held in the Democratic Republic of Congo in which Zimbabwe have been drawn against Swaziland Under-23s in the first round.

The first leg of the qualifiers will be an away match to the Caleb Ngwenya coached Swaziland Under-23 on the weekend of February 20-22 with the return leg on the weekend of March 6-8 next year.

Should they clear that hurdle, South Africa’s AmaGlug Glug await them with Senegal providing the last pocket of resistance.

Swaziland, under Harris Madze, have only lost twice, 0-3 to South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in a friendly and 0-1 to Sierra Leone in the Africa Cup of Nations but it is the immaculate run in a couple of friendlies that could intimidate the Young Warriors.

According to the National Football Association of Swaziland (NFAS) chief executive officer Frederick Mngomezulu the entry fee is E30 ($3).

Teams
Zimbabwe Young Warriors
Wisdom Mutasa (FC Platinum), Benard Donovan (How Mine), Pritchard Mpelele Mwamba (Hwange FC), Emmanuel Mandiranga (How Mine), Brian Muzvondiwa (Black Rhinos), Gabriel Nyoni (Highlanders), Ronald Tapiwa Pfumbidzai (Caps United), Charles Mukanhairi (Caps United), Knox Mutizwa (Highlanders), Njabulo Kelvin Moyo (FC Platinum), Nqobizitha Masuku (Bantu Rovers), Lawrence Mhlanga (Chicken Inn), Liberty Chakoroma (Buffaloes) , Blessing Moyo (Dynamos), Carlos Rodwell Rusere (DC Academy), Praise Tonha (Triangle), Tonderai Mateyaunga (ZPC Kariba) and Terrence Gonzo (ZPC Kariba).

Swaziland
Nhlanhla Gwebu (Malanti Chiefs), Mphikeleli Dlamini (Royal Leopards), Sifiso Maseko and Siboniso Mamba (both Young Buffaloes), Sanele Mkhweli and Sifiso Mabila (both Mbabane Swallows), Sikhumbuzo Ntimane, Maqhawe Dlamini and Sifiso Nkambule (all Royal Leopard), Siyabonga Mdluli and Banele Dlamini (both Green Mamba), Siboniso Malambe, Mxolisi Lukhele, Zweli Nxumalo, Mthunzi Mkhontfo and Mduduzi Gama (all Royal Leopards), Mandla Palma and Tony Tsabedze (Mbabane Swallows), Sandile Hlatshwako (Mbabane Swallows), Muntu Mamba and Banele Mdluli (Green Mamba).