ZIFA Chairman Philip Chiyangwa has urged the Zimbabwe under 20 team to do well as they take on Botswana in the first Round of the 2017 African Youth Championships qualifier tomorrow.
The team will play at Babourfields Stadium in Bulawayo in the first leg tomorrow whilst the second leg is set for the weekend of 22-24 April in Gaborone.
ZIFA Chairman Philip Chiyangwa urged the young men to seize the opportunity as the Association has given faith to the thee youth as a developmental initiative.
“For young players being selected to the team shows commitment to football and ability to represent your nation at the highest level. We encourage the young boys to play well and build their futures,” Dr Chiyangwa told the Association’s official website www.zifa.org.zw.
The ZIFA president also urged the young Warriors to remain focused and follow the footsteps of other great players who came through the same ranks.
“The players must be patient for their chances to come and remain committed. They must be inspired by many great players who came through the same ranks of our youth teams, and later joined the senior team,” added Dr Chiyangwa.
“The development of these young lads can help our nation develop better in football, score better in rankings and feature frequently in major tournaments,” concluded Dr Chiyangwa.
Meanwhile, The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) also urged football fans nationwide to come and rally behind the young Warriors as they play Botswana on Sunday in the 20th edition of the Orange U20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Barbourfields stadium in Bulawayo.
Young Warriors final 18
Goalkeepers
Issa Ali (Caps United), Kelvin Shangiwa (Harare City)
Defenders
Lesly Lunga (Highlander),Mathias Chodeva (Bantu), Bukhosi Ncube (Highlanders), Tevor Zidoro (Border Strikers), Kudzanai Nyakasaka (Dynamos), Thulani Nxumalo (Chicken Inn)
Midfielders
Ben Musaka (Bantu), Bukhosi Sibanda (Bantu) Amos Ncube (Chicken Inn), Peace Makaha (Dynamos)
Strikers
Blessing Sibanda (Tsholotsho), Thomas Kadyaridzire (Chicken Inn), Thembelati Mtunzi (Highlanders), Blessing Nyamuziwa (Harare City), Jerry Chipangura (Harare City), Tanaka Ruzvidzo (Harare City)