Young Warriors return RETURN OF THE BOYS . . . Zimbabwe youth international Ronald Pfumbidzai leads the Young Warriors out of the Arrivals Lounge after they touched down at Harare International Airport last night from their successful tour of duty in Swaziland
RETURN OF THE BOYS . . . Zimbabwe youth international Ronald Pfumbidzai leads the Young Warriors out of the Arrivals Lounge after they touched down at Harare International Airport last night from their successful tour of duty in Swaziland

RETURN OF THE BOYS . . . Zimbabwe youth international Ronald Pfumbidzai leads the Young Warriors out of the Arrivals Lounge after they touched down at Harare International Airport last night from their successful tour of duty in Swaziland

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
YOUNG Warriors coach Callisto Pasuwa says a big test awaits them as they relish a date with neighbours South Africa in the final qualifying round of the Africa Under-23 Championship next month.

The Zimbabwe Under-23 side pulled through to the third round of the qualifiers when they forced a 2-2 draw away in Swaziland at the weekend.

The first leg at Rufaro had ended in a disappointing goalless draw at Rufaro last week.

Speaking after the team’s arrival yesterday, Pasuwa said South Africa were tougher opponents who needed to be taken seriously.

Zimbabwe had chaotic preparations ahead of the Swaziland tie when they had to do with limited resources while the Premiership teams were not reluctant to release their players.

However, the coach yesterday appealed to ZIFA and other stakeholders to increase their support.

Zimbabwe will face South Africa in the first leg over the weekend of July 17-19.

The return leg has been set for August 1-2.

“This being one of the big games to us, we need to prepare very well. We need to have the boys in camp in time so that we polish up our act by the time we play the matches.

“As you know the South Africans are usually more organised and better prepared than most of the teams that we have played. So we have to be in camp in time,” said Pasuwa.

The Young Warriors arrived back home yesterday evening a satisfied lot after getting a scoring draw which ensured passage to the next round on away goals rule.

Harare City forward Tino Kadewere and Ronald Pfumbidzai scored the vital goals as the team twice had to come from behind to keep their Olympic dream alive.

If Zimbabwe beat South Africa, they will join seven other teams at the finals to be hosted by Senegal from December 5-19.

The top three teams at the finals will get automatic tickets to represent the continent at next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro while the fourth-placed team has to engage in play-offs with a team from the Asian confederation.

CAPS United left-back Pfumbidzai said the Young Warriors’ destiny was in their hands.

Pfumbidzai said they are looking forward to the clash with South Africa to take the giant step towards Olympics.

“Nothing is impossible. We are ready for any side in this campaign. Of course, South Africa are a big team but we take each game as it comes.

“We have to take heart from our performances so far. We did well to come back with a positive result from Swaziland after that first leg.

“Not all players featured in that game because others were not available.

“But this time I think we were a bit stronger because almost everyone was there. So we told each other that we had to play the game and look for something positive,” said Pfumbidzai.

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