By Tapiwa Chawagarira
ZIMBABWE’S Young Warriors will begin their journey to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games when they face Mauritius in the opening round of the 2027 CAF Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Under-23 side, now under the guidance of Spanish coach Marc Sanchez, has been paired with Mauritius in a two-legged first-round tie. Zimbabwe will host the opening match before traveling to the Indian Ocean island for the return fixture.
The first leg is scheduled for September 28, and the return match is set for October 6.
Sanchez has named a 26-member squad for the assignment, blending locally based players with Zimbabwean youngsters who are playing abroad.
The goalkeeping department comprises Jayen Garthwaite (Aston Villa), Tatenda Chikowero (Ngezi Platinum), and Joseph Kaunda (Manica Diamonds).
In defence, Sanchez has selected Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday), Corbin Mathunzi (Ipswich Town), Shane Maroodza (Sarajevo), Taropafadzwa Wafawarova (Newcastle Jets), Takudzwa Guanzura (Norwich City), Jayden Munikwa (Norwich City), Keith Handirade (MWOS FC), and Richard Nkomo (South Melbourne).
The midfield department features Tadiwanashe Huni (FC Hunters), Prosper Padera (SJK Seinajoki), Garie Jr Brendson Chibika (Chicken Inn), Miles Brackring (Norwich City), Seth Chingwaro (Fulham), Noel Zimbemba (Radford), Junior Chigumbu (Houtbay United), and Menzi Mazwi (Birmingham).
Up front, Sanchez has included Timmy Kushata (MWOS FC), Darrel Zulu (Manica Diamonds), Tanaka Munemo (Ngezi Platinum), Prince Ndlovu (Highlanders), Elisha Pfupa (Portsmouth), David Chigwara (Brentford), and Vernon Masara (Peterborough).
The selection underlines Sanchez’s intention to combine emerging domestic talent with Zimbabweans developing their careers abroad as he builds a team suited to his possession-based football philosophy.
Sanchez, who also serves as an assistant to senior Warriors coach Ramon Catala, has been tasked with building a competitive Under-23 team capable of navigating the qualifiers and reaching the 2027 AFCON finals in Egypt.
The campaign carries added significance because the 2027 Under-23 AFCON finals will also serve as the continental pathway to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Zimbabwe missed the previous Under-23 AFCON qualification campaign and, as a result, was also absent from the race for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games following the country’s FIFA suspension. The Young Warriors are therefore returning to the continental pathway with a new technical setup and a new generation of players.
The squad features several players already making an impression in the domestic Premier Soccer League, alongside youngsters attached to clubs in England, Scotland, Finland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Australia, and South Africa.
Among the overseas-based players are Sheffield Wednesday defender Sean Fusire, Ipswich Town’s Corbin Mathunzi, Newcastle Jets defender Taropafadzwa Wafawarova, Norwich City duo Takudzwa Guanzura and Jayden Munikwa, Fulham midfielder Seth Chingwaro, Portsmouth forward Elisha Pfupa, and Brentford striker David Chigwara.
South Africa-based midfielder Junior Chigumbu is also part of the squad; the 20-year-old is listed as a Houtbay United player.
The domestic contingent includes players from clubs such as Ngezi Platinum, Manica Diamonds, FC Hunters, Chicken Inn, MWOS FC, and Highlanders.
However, the first hurdle is Mauritius.
Zimbabwe must negotiate the two legs successfully to progress to the second round, where they will face Mali, who received a bye into that stage of the qualifying process.
For Sanchez, the immediate task will be to make the most of the limited preparation time while creating a team capable of taking control of the tie at home before traveling for the decisive second leg.
The Young Warriors will therefore hope to make their return to the continental Under-23 stage count as they begin a campaign that could ultimately lead Zimbabwe to the Olympic football tournament in Los Angeles in 2028.
