Zimbabwe’s Young Warriors junior national soccer team is not impressed by the South African under-23 football side despite its recent 5-1 thrashing of Benin in the same venue where the two teams are to meet Saturday in an All-Africa qualifier.
Pending the return of Zimbabwe coach Friday Phiri from South Africa and the Olympic Games qualifier in which Amaglug-Glug thrashed Benin, Tapfumaneyi Dodo has been in charge of the Young Warriors and says they are not put off by that result, he told VOA Studio 7 reporter Michael Kariati.
Dodo says Zimbabwe's recent record in away matches could be a plus when the Young Warriors take on Amaglug-Glug hoping for a berth in the finals in Mozambique.
The Young Warriors defeated Zambia 2-1 in Lusaka and drew 2-2 with Botswana.
The Gunners mentor has been putting the junior squad through its paces since camp opened Monday. He says his players will capitalize on South Africa's flashy style.
The team has put the forced absence of Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiart behind it, he says, as the squad has been doing well enough without them.
Their South African clubs refused to release Musona and Billiart for All-Africa play which is not on the International Federation of Association Football official calendar.
The Young Warriors last reached the All-Africa games in 1995 when Harare hosted them. Dodo says his players are confident – but cautious.
They are scheduled to leave for South Africa on Thursday.
