Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. THE Zimbabwe Under-17 national football team, affectionately known as the Young Warriors, received a significant morale boost yesterday after Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture minister Anselm Sanyatwe paid a visit to their training camp at Eaglesvale School in Harare.
The visit comes as the team enters its final preparations to host the 2025 Cosafa U17 Boys Championship, a crucial tournament that serves as the beginning of the qualification process for the Fifa Under-17 World Cup.
Sanyatwe was accompanied by a high-profile delegation, including his deputy Emily Jesaya, Zifa president Nqobile Magwizi and Zifa chief executive officer Yvonne Mapika Manwa, among other key officials.
Their presence underscored the government and football association’s commitment to the team and the success of the upcoming tournament.
Speaking to the media, Sanyatwe emphasised the importance of his visit.
“I found it important for me to come and see for myself, as the Minister for Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture,” he said.
“Here, we are looking forward to participate and to lead the region in the forthcoming tournament.
“Coming here is for me to check for myself, other than receiving reports on the state of preparedness of our national team.”
The minister expressed his satisfaction with the team’s progress, which has been trimmed from an initial pool of 48 players to a final squad of 27.
The selection process drew talent from all of Zimbabwe’s provinces, as well as a significant contingent from the diaspora.
“I am happy we also have, out of 48, participation of good players far afield, beyond our borders, South Africa, Hong Kong, United Kingdom and England,” Sanyatwe noted, highlighting the inclusion of eight foreign-based players.
Among them is Takudzwa Chinyowa, who plays for Leeds in England.
“I am very confident that we should be able to make it as a nation. This is a very good, fertile breeding ground for the selection of the national team,” Sanyatwe declared, drawing a parallel to the recent success of the Zimbabwean rugby team in Uganda.
“I personally met with them, talked to the young boys, and hopefully we have all the reason to promise the nation that the boys are going to perform to our expectations, and do like what our rugby team did in Uganda.”
Magwizi echoed the minister’s sentiments, stressing the importance of the tournament for the country.
“This is a big tournament. We have more than 11 countries coming,” he said.
“It’s very important that we, as a country, obviously put our best foot forward. Because it’s a regional tournament, we have to brief the authorities, who are, of course, the hosts.
“So in our regular briefings, he was very interested in understanding how far he’d gone with the preparations. And he was keen to see what’s happening on the ground.”
For the players, the ministerial visit was a powerful sign of support.
Team captain Tadiwa Chakuchichi spoke about the squad’s readiness and the significance of the moment.
“Camp has been great so far since we came, as you know, there are people from different countries and places. But now, I feel like we’re now gelling while we’re getting to know each other more,” he said.
Chakuchichi acknowledged the pressure of playing as hosts, but stated the team is ready to rise to the occasion.
“It means a lot [to have the minister come to see us] because, you know, just for them to come and watch us, it just means so much,” he said.
“Yes, there’s a lot of pressure because, you know, as hosts, there are going to be a lot of supporters.
“And we are ready to show what we are made of, and we are ready to just showcase our talents, and just put in so much work just to win this international tournament.”
The Cosafa U17 Boys Championship 2025 will be hosted in Harare from September 11–20 at The Heart Stadium in Harare and Ngoni Stadium in Norton.
A total of 12 countries will be taking part.
For More News And Analysis About Zimbabwe Follow Africa-Press
