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Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
YOUNG Warriors striker Thomas Chideu will be looking to put behind him the slow start to his professional career as he leads the Zimbabwe Olympic team in search of goals in the first leg of the CAF Under-23 Championships second round qualifier against Swaziland at Rufaro tomorrow.

Known for his illustrious schools record in England where he bagged 34 goals in 14 matches for Oswestry School while on exchange programme from Prince Edward in 2013, Chideu is one of the young players to look out for on the Zimbabwe football landscape in the near future.

He has had inquiries from English Premiership sides Sunderland and Leicester City but the 18-year-old is still largely anonymous back home after making a slow start to his club career at Highlanders this season where he has bagged one goal. Having missed the Africa Games qualifiers because of club commitments, Chideu believes the CAF Under-23 Championship is a good platform for him and most of his teammates in Callisto Pasuwa’s side that begins its journey in the quest for a ticket at next year’s Olympics Games tomorrow.

The former Prince Edward schoolboy, who now spots a different hairstyle after shaving off his colourful Mohawk, looked sharp and confident in training.

And despite their poor preparations to this first leg tie, Chideu said the Young Warriors should aim for a comfortable win at home tomorrow.

“I think we are geared up. I am convinced we can win this game. We just need to give all we have for our nation and the supporters,” said Chideu.

“I am also urging the supporters to come in numbers so that we gain more confidence. Their backing will help us achieve our objectives.

“Being the first leg at home, we definitely need to win this game. So we have to keep focused. I know we can win this game, nothing else is more important for us at the moment apart from that.

“It’s quite clear, when you play at home you have to get a healthy lead so that when we go for the away leg we will have to defend our position. So we have to score more goals.

“Hopefully, I will score as well, that is my aim. I am just feeling it, if I start I think I can score,” said Chideu.

The Zimbabwe Under-23 team looks strong going forward with Chideu having to fight for a starting place against lanky Harare City forward Tino Kadewere and How Mine’s Mgcini Sibanda, who have an edge in experience.

Pasuwa has also called up Carlos Rusere and Livingstone Genti following a failed COSAFA Cup mission to add to his array of attacking midfielders who include Malvin Gaki, Emmanuel Mandiranga, Tino Muskwe and Munyaradzi Chiwara. The coach was also forced to turn to goalkeeper Donovan Bernard from the COSAFA Cup squad after experiencing a goalkeeping crisis during the week. Hwange’s Takabva Mawaya was the only goalkeeper in camp after Harare giants Dynamos withdrew Tatenda Mukuruva as they wanted him for Monday’s league game against Tsholotsho.

Swaziland were expected to arrive last night.

Young Warriors Squad

Takabva Mawaya (Hwange), Donovan Bernard (How Mine), Edwin Madhanhanga (Flame Lily), Munyaradzi Diro-Nyenye (Harare City), Teenage Hadebe (Highlanders), Liberty Chakoroma (Buffaloes), Gerald Takwana (Tsholotsho), Wisdom Mutasa (FC Platinum), Nqobizitha Masuku (Highlanders), Malvin Gaki (Triangle), Carlos Rusere (Dynamos), Mqcini Sibanda (How Mine), Livingston Genti (Whawha), Jimmy Kanono (Whawha), Thomas Chideu (Highlanders), Tino Kadewere (Harare City), Emmanuel Mandiranga (FC Platinum), Tino Muskwe (CAPS United), Munyaradzi Chiwara