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Callisto Pasuwa

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE Young Warriors’ technical staff said yesterday that they had prepared their players to withstand the expected hostile reception and poor playing conditions when they take on Cameroon in the return leg of the African Games qualifier on Sunday.

Zimbabwe, under head coach Callisto Pasuwa and assisted by Nation Dube and Saul Chaminuka, fly out of the country tomorrow carrying a slender 1-0 lead after battling a chaotic preparatory period as most clubs withdrew their players from camp or totally refused to release them.

The African Games qualifiers are outside Fifa international calendar and clubs are not obliged to release their players for the matches.

Young Warriors manager Charles Mukaroda said the technical bench had since resolved to work with the 16 players in camp.

“Our focus now is on psyching up the boys to be mentally prepared for a hostile reception in Cameroon. We don’t want them to be shocked when we eventually get there because we know from experience that the reception will not be friendly there,” said Mukaroda.

He said West Africans are known for their off the field shenanigans which usually work to their favour as most teams tend to crumble even before getting to the field.

“As part of our plans to counter any unsporting behaviour, an advance party has already left for Cameroon to do our bookings just like they (Cameroon) did when they came here,” said the manager.

With 16 players in camp, the Young Warriors will be hoping for an injury free period until match day and go for an early away goal that will unsettle their hosts. How Mine striker Mgcini Sibanda will be the sole gunman upfront as the Zimbabweans seek to cause a huge upset.

Steady young Dynamos defender Blessing Moyo and Chicken Inn’s Lawrence Mhlanga are set to marshal the defence and contain the Cameroon forwards.

Under-23 squad in camp

Tatenda Mukuruva, Blessing Moyo, Carlos Rusere (Dynamos), Praise Tonha, Malvin Gaki (Triangle, Takava Mawaya, Pritchard Mpelele (Hwange), Wisdom Mutasa, Marshall Mudewe (FC Platinum), Munyaradzi Nyenye (Harare City), Ronald Pfumbidzayi (Caps United), Lawrence Mhlanga (Chicken Inn), Liberty Chakoromba (Buffaloes), Gerald Takwara (Tsholotsho), Nqobizitha Masuku (Highlanders), Mgcini Sibanda (How Mine).