Coach wants to strengthen Young Warriors

YOUNG Warriors coach Tonderai Ndiraya is considering more foreign-based players as he seeks to build a formidable side ahead of the crunch Under-23 African Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa in June.

After working with four players based in Europe in the previous fixture against Mozambique, Ndiraya believes more foreign-based players can add a competitive edge to his team.

Ndiraya admits that Amaglug-glug, who were at the last Olympics in Brazil, are a bigger and tougher challenge.

The latest players who have been placed on Ndiraya’s radar are Burnley Under-23 forward Tinashe Chakwana and his teammate Gilbert Nyaupembe, Ipswich Town midfielder Tristan Nydam and Leicester City’s forward Admiral Muskwe.

“We want to strengthen our team with more foreign-based players with better quality and efforts are underway to lure these players,’’ said Ndiraya.

“We had the privilege to work with those that came and we will continue to follow their progress at their clubs and choose the best that we believe can do the job for the nation.’’

In the 2-0 victory against Mozambique at the National Sports Stadium, three foreign-based players — Spain-based goalkeeper Martin Mapisa, Germany’s VfB Lubeck Under-19 midfielder Seth Patrick and Scotland-based Matifadza Zata — featured for the Young Warriors.

Another Germany-based player Shama Bako was also in the Young Warriors squad, but did not play in both matches against the Mozambicans.

“The win against Mozambique was special in the sense that our local players were still undergoing pre-season and as a result they didn’t have the required match fitness.

“We also brought in a number of foreign-based players whom we didn’t have enough time to train with and it was really difficult for us to come up with winning combinations.

‘’But, I am glad we did it in a very short space of time.’’

The Young Warriors have received a fresh impetus from Prophet Walter Magaya, who has pledged to provide the backing to help them succeed.