Zimbabwe U-23 poised to beat Cameroon in qualifiers

The Zimbabwe Under-23 team host Cameroon in the first leg of All-Africa Games first round qualifiers at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday looking to get a positive result.

Coach Calisto Pasuwa has hardly enjoyed the luxury of a full squad in camp throughout the last two weeks.

Furthermore, the non-availability of foreign-based stars has been compounded by the reluctance of top Castle Lager Premiership clubs to release key players just as the new season kicks into life.

Pasuwa had been hoping to use the influence of Peter Ndlovu at Mamelodi Sundowns to secure the release of live-wire winger Kudakwashe Mahachi for the tie, but those efforts have come to nought.

“Sundowns have indicated that they need Mahachi for their match at the weekend. So, he is no longer coming,” Zifa communications officer Xolisani Gwesela said on Thursday.

Zimbabwe have also been unable to call up Netherlands-based midfielder Marvellous Nakamba and striker Macauley Bonne, who plays for League One side Colchester United.

Captain Wisdon Mutasa only joined the rest of the squad on Wednesday, but his FC Platinum colleagues - Walter Musona and Emmanuel Mandiranga - were yet to report to camp by Friday morning.

Perhaps the last straw for Pasuwa was the withdrawal of the Highlanders trio of Nqobizitha Masuku, Teenage Hadebe and Thomas Chidewu on Thursday. The Bulawayo giants play ZPC Kariba on Saturday.

The leadership vacuum at Zifa, where beleaguered president Cuthbert Dube has retreated into his shell, has not made the situation any better.

A member of the Young Warriors technical committee who spoke to Goal on condition of anonymity, however, also blamed the PSL for scheduling the start of the season to coincide with the Cameroon tie.

“The PSL knew well in advance about the Cameroon match and they should have helped us a little. This tie is not just about the All-Africa Games, it will help us prepare for the Olympic qualifiers which are set to begin soon.

“But the club coaches are also desperate to start the season on a positive note, hence the chaos,” the technical committee member said.