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Clemence Marijeni in LONDON
THE African Nations Cup UK kicks off this weekend in London with Zimbabwe aiming for a semi-final berth — an improvement from last year when they reached the quarter-finals.Zimbabwe coach Jabulani “JB” Nare said they aimed to go a step further and reach the semi-finals of the competition that will be contested by 20 African nations.

“If we manage to secure a semi-final place, we will be in a good position to reach the final because being a tournament match you’d never know what happens.

“I feel we have a squad good enough to achieve that feat,” said Nare, speaking on the sidelines of last weekend’s Inner City World Cup tournament where the Zimbabwe team reached the quarter-finals.

The World Cup tournament was a Masters tournament attracting 24 different nations. Zimbabwe lost to Spain after a penalty shoot out in the quarter-finals.

This weekend’s tournament, which will be played over two weekends with the final set for June 14, is the big one.

Zimbabwe were drawn in Group A alongside Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Morroco and Senegal.

Former Warriors and CAPS United forwards Brian Badza and Raymond Undi, Brian Ndlovu, Madinda Ndlovu (junior) and Melusi Mazwi are available for selection.

Brian is the youngest of the Ndlovu siblings while Madinda is Madinda Ndlovu’s eledest son. The Chirimuuta brothers, Alvin ad Martin, who turned out for Tomlinson Depot, former Circle United defender Last Jenami, former Sporting Lions midfielder Kelvin Mushambi and Alfred Homo, are also in the team.

Former Dynamos goalkeeper Obey Murefu, who is also the team’s assistant coach, will be in goals. If Murefu’s services are needed on the bench then Tasiwa Nyambiya takes over as the ‘keeper.

Sheperd Machingauta, Mzwandi Nduna,Henry Sibenge, Terence Payarira, Gary Marikano and midfielders Nkosi Kalawu, Tatenda Bako, Jones Moyo and Edward Mudzi provide the youthful edge.

Team Zimbabwe UK project director, Marshal Gore, said the Zimbabwe team would be expected to perform well considering the efforts that his committee put into preparing the team.

The Team Zimbabwe UK committee that includes chairmain Liberty Masunda and Project Administrator, Thomas Thomik, managed to secure sponsorship in the run-up to the tournament.

Gore said the team secured two sponsorship deals from Virtual Media Technologies and Diaspora Funeral Cash Plan.

Virtual Media Technologies, who specialise in the provision of web and mobile technology unveiled a sponsorship deal worth £7000 and the Diaspora Cash Plan deal is worth £5000.

Virtual Media Technologies donated 10 Fifa approved match balls worth £300 and offered to develop and host the Team Zimbabwe UK website www.teamzimbabwe.co.uk for the next three years .

In addition, the Scotland-based company also pledged to pay Team Zimbabwe UK 10 percent commission from profit of all business generated from the organisation through its contacts for the next five years

Jeff Madzingo, Director of Diaspora Funeral Cash Plan, said his company was driven to sponsor Team Zimbabwe UK as they were keen to further advance the values helping to promote good community cohesion among Zimbabweans in the Diaspora.