……as Young Warriors stumble in COSAFA opener
Zimbabwe’s Under-17 side endured a false start to their COSAFA Championship campaign yesterday, going down 1-0 to Mozambique at Ngoni Stadium despite strong home support.
A lively Norton crowd had barely settled when Mozambique struck early. Chauson Nhabanga converted from an Allan de Figuereido cross in the eighth minute, a blow that left the Young Warriors chasing the game.
The defeat leaves Zimbabwe third in Group A, needing victory against Eswatini tomorrow to stay in contention for the tournament, which also doubles as a qualifier for the 2025 Afcon Under-17 and Fifa Under-17 World Cup.
Earlier, Comoros topped the table after a convincing 3-0 win over Eswatini.
Coach Thulani Sibanda’s side, assembled in under a month with only two weeks of proper training, struggled for cohesion against a well-drilled Mozambican team.
Their opponents have been building for two years under Portuguese coach Luis Manuel Correia Guerreiro, who credited his side’s preparation in Portugal as the key difference. “Preparation is very key,” he said.
Despite the setback, Sibanda refused to blame lack of preparation.
“There wasn’t a very big difference between us and them, apart from maybe that soft goal. We almost created the same number of chances, and in the second half, we were on top,” he said.
Chances did fall Zimbabwe’s way, with captain Tadiwa Chakuchichi going close in both halves, but poor finishing proved costly.
Mozambique, led by influential midfielder Diego Pelembe, controlled much of the game and nearly doubled their lead through Shelton Sitoe’s bicycle kick and a late header from Steys Jose.
With two group matches remaining, the Young Warriors face a must-win clash against Eswatini tomorrow before meeting Comoros on Monday.
Anything less than victory will likely end their campaign at the first hurdle.
