Young Warriors Crash Out of COSAFA U-17 Qualifiers in Disastrous Campaign
Zimbabwe’s Under-17 side, the Young Warriors, endured a nightmare exit from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) COSAFA Qualifiers after falling 3-2 to Comoros at Ngoni Stadium on Tuesday.
The defeat capped off a winless campaign for the hosts, who stumbled out at the group stage with just a single point their worst-ever performance in the competition’s history on home soil.
Zimbabwe kicked off their campaign with a narrow 1-0 loss to Mozambique, followed by a goalless draw against Eswatini.
Their final game against Comoros was the only time they found the net, courtesy of a strike from Tadiwa Chakuchichi and a Comoros own goal. But defensive lapses undid the side yet again.
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Coach Thulani Sibanda was brutally honest after the match, blasting his players’ lack of quality:
“You saw the games and the three goals we conceded during the tournament, even social football players could have defended those,” Sibanda fumed.
“The truth is, we were discovering some of these players here, and I can’t run away from that fact.”
According to NewZimbabwe, this year’s early exit represents a stark decline, with the Young Warriors having reached the semifinals last year.
Zimbabwe last lifted the COSAFA U-17 trophy in 2007, and the latest showing has sparked questions about the country’s youth development structures.
In the other Group A fixture, Mozambique hammered Eswatini 4-0 to seal top spot, while Comoros also advanced after finishing level on seven points.
Zimbabwe and Eswatini bowed out with just a single point apiece.
Final Group A Standings:
- Mozambique – 7 points
- Comoros – 7 points
- Zimbabwe – 1 point
- Eswatini – 1 point
