Young Warriors aim to upset Cameroon

Young Warriors coach Mandla Mpofu says the Young Warriors will seek to unsettle giants Cameroon in their backyard by scoring an early goal and keep alive their dream in the CAF Under-20 Championship qualifiers.

Zimbabwe and Cameroon clash in the second leg of the second round at Stade Omnisports in Bafoussam tomorrow.

The Young Warriors were held to a goalless draw by the West Africans in the first leg at the National Sports Stadium. “This is a big task for me but this is my industry.

I’ve been with this group since 2010 as an assistant coach to Taurai Mangwiro and then Jairos Tapera.

“I’ve been with big clubs in Zimbabwe including Highlanders and Chicken Inn and I’ve been in this situation before and I’ve won big things with those clubs,” said Mpofu. The Young Warriors left the country on Thursday night and were expected to have their first training in Cameroon yesterday.

They played two friendly matches against Harare Province Under-20 side and Yadah Stars as part of their preparations. “Cameroon are physically imposing but slow on speed. The Mighty Warriors have been there before and came with a positive result, so why not us?

“We’ve a game plan up our sleeves against Cameroon, come Sunday. “They’re dangerous on set pieces and the team has been working on those areas throughout the whole preparation period.

“Dynamos player Peace Makaha, who returns to the fold after missing the last match through suspension, is one player who’s capable of changing the game in our favour,” said Mpofu. Team manager, Patrick Mutesva, was brimming with confidence.

“It’s a 50-50 game and we’re at an advantage in the sense that if we get a scoring draw, it would be to our advantage. There are no injury worries,” he said.