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Collin Matiza

THE Zimbabwe Homeless World Cup team have stepped up their preparations for this year’s five-a-side World Cup football finals to be held in Seoul, South Korea, later this year.

The tournament will be held from September 21 to 28 with several countries from across the globe expected to take part.

The Zimbabwean team, which is under the Young Achievement Sports for Development (YASD), have named a 20-member provisional team which will be reduced to eight before departing for South Korea.

Team Zimbabwe last took part in the 2019 Homeless World Cup finals in Cardiff, Wales.

It is an annual football tournament organised by the Homeless World Cup organisation which advocates the end of homelessness through football.

Team Zimbabwe recently held their trials in Hatcliffe and Chitungwiza; and the organisers have indicated that they will screen the team to eight players before they leave for the annual football jamboree for the underprivileged people.

Petros Chatiza, one of the directors of YADS, said Team Zimbabwe’s preparations are at an advanced stage and they are looking forward to competing at this global event.

“We recently held our main trials in Chitungwiza and the response was overwhelming and we managed to come up with 20 players. The team will be trimmed to eight before our departure for Seoul where we hope to represent our country well,” Chatiza said.

He also revealed that their team might, for the first time, include one or two players with hearing impairments.

“The association  for the deafof this country have been in touch with us expressing their gratitude over our decision to include one or two of their players in our team for Seoul. 

“They wrote a very touching letter to us and they are now part and parcel of our family.

“We are just hoping and praying that sponsors from the corporate world will come on board with sponsorship for our trip to South Korea where we are hoping to include one or two deaf players in our squad.

“Street Football Zimbabwe makes a life-changing difference to hundreds of vulnerable people across the country. Representing Zimbabwe at the Homeless World Cup is one of the many ambitions players share,” Chatiza said.

Zimbabwe’s Homeless World Cup Provisional Squad

 Tafadzwa Makazhu, Robson Nhamoinesu, Fredrick Gondokondo, Jaasiel Munukandafa, Tinashe Mavengere, Andrew Nyadzawo, Antony Munengwa, Jerome Chapfika, Evans Chipungu, Justice Nyanyiwa, Collin Mabasa, Ronald Mupangai, Soliana Mukwena, Emmason Tekade, Tarcisius Denhere, Lyndon Tembo, Brighton Mazanamombe, Benaly Chagwedera, Delan Nhanga, Dean-Deon Kabanya, Clinton Ndlovu, Marshal Chareka, Delan Mufi, Delvis Makonese.