Connect with us

Uncategorized

Young Warriors Step Up Preparations Ahead of COSAFA Qualifiers

Published

on

The Zimbabwe Under-17 men’s football team, the Young Warriors, are intensifying preparations for the upcoming 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations COSAFA Qualifiers, which the country will host from September 11 to 20.

Assistant Coach Backlyfield Chivenga said the squad has shown steady progress since entering camp, with the technical team now focusing on refining quality and tactical awareness after trimming the provisional list.

“We were screening the boys and bringing them into a reasonable number by quality. We are left with quite a good number to work with, and we’ve seen progress from day one to now. There’s evidence of improvement in terms of how we play,” Chivenga told reporters.

The Young Warriors have played three friendly matches against strong opposition, which Chivenga described as crucial in testing the squad’s readiness and exposing areas for further improvement.

“These matches gave us a picture of where we are in terms of our style of play. We will keep on working on our defensive shape and our attacking shape,” he said. “We are also trying to bring the boys into a friendly working environment, making them understand that it’s not about individuals but about representing the nation.”

The technical team has placed emphasis on instilling discipline, unity, and tactical maturity — qualities they believe are essential for the squad to challenge for honours in the regional competition.

Zimbabwe will be banking on home advantage as hosts, with expectations high that the Young Warriors can finally break their qualification drought. The COSAFA tournament not only crowns the region’s best but also serves as the pathway to the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Young Warriors last reached the continental finals in 2007 in Togo. Since then, they have consistently fallen short in regional qualifiers, often exiting at the group stages. Hosting the 2026 edition offers a chance to revive their fortunes and re-establish Zimbabwe’s presence in youth football.

“If we continue with this trajectory, we will get to the tournament prepared to get the results,” Chivenga said, adding that confidence is growing within the squad.

The Young Warriors are set to open their COSAFA campaign in Harare, with fixtures expected to be announced in the coming days.

ALSO READ : Warriors Fall to Benin in World Cup Qualifier

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Uncategorized

‘Catch Them Young’: Junior Golf Drive Gains Momentum at President’s Cup

Published

on

By

A strong push to “catch them young” is taking shape in Zimbabwean golf, as the ongoing President’s Cup Juniors Tournament highlights the importance of early talent identification and development.

Now in its third day, the four-day event running from April 14 to 17 at Bulawayo Country Club Golf Course has drawn promising young golfers from across the country, all showcasing skill, discipline and growing confidence on the course.

ZGA president Blessmore Gandawa said investing in young players is the only sustainable way to grow the sport.

“We believe in catching them young. The earlier we introduce structured training and competitive exposure, the better we prepare them for the future. What we are witnessing here is a generation that, with proper support, can take Zimbabwean golf to greater heights,” he said.

Gandawa credited parents and coaches for their dedication, saying their involvement is laying a solid foundation for long-term success.

Among the standout young players is Ayanda Ndlovu, who recently represented Zimbabwe in Ireland. Her participation on the international stage at such a young age underscores the value of early development and exposure.

Other juniors have also impressed across various age categories, reinforcing the depth of talent emerging through grassroots programmes.

NetOne Cellular Pvt Ltd partners said their support is anchored on empowering young people and creating opportunities through sport.

Public Relations Manager Ernest Magadzire said junior golf development aligns with the company’s broader vision.

“Supporting these young golfers is about investing in the future. We are seeing talent, discipline and passion at a very early stage, and that is exactly why platforms like this are important. These are future champions in the making,” he said.

NetOne Regional Manager Gugulethu Ndlovu added that early exposure builds not only sporting ability but also character.

“When you catch them young, you are not just developing athletes — you are shaping confident, disciplined individuals. We are impressed by the maturity and focus shown by these juniors, and we remain committed to supporting their journey,” she said.

As the tournament heads towards its conclusion on Friday, the message from stakeholders is clear — investing in junior golfers today is key to securing Zimbabwe’s success on the international stage tomorrow.

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

Fuel Stations Ignore ZERA’s $2.23 Price Order

Published

on

By

Engen service
Defying ZERA: An Engen service station in Zimbabwe continues to sell fuel above the regulator’s pegged price of US$2.23 per litre. Photo taken on 7 April 2026.
A quick snapshot survey conducted by Hurumende News Hub has revealed that many fuel service stations across Zimbabwe are openly defying the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) by selling petrol and diesel above the officially pegged price of US$2.23 per litre.
The survey findings confirm reports from price monitoring platform Zimpricecheck that the non-compliance, which initially started at stations in remote and outlying areas, has now spread to service stations in major urban centres, including central business districts (CBDs).
Photos and on-ground checks shared by the platform show clear examples, such as an Engen service station displaying pump prices higher than the ZERA-regulated rate.
Motorists have expressed growing frustration with the continued price discrepancies, despite repeated announcements by the regulator.
It remains unclear whether the stations have any special dispensation or arrangement allowing them to charge more.In response to the high prices, ZERA has indicated plans to reduce the cost of petrol in the coming weeks by increasing the ethanol blending ratio to 20% (E20).
ZERA is yet to issue an official statement addressing the findings of the Hurumende News Hub survey and the latest reports of stations selling above the regulated price.
This development adds to the mounting pressure on the fuel sector, as ordinary Zimbabweans continue to grapple with high living costs and fluctuating fuel prices.
Continue Reading

Uncategorized

Zim Export Ban Prompts China Embassy Compliance Alert

Published

on

Zim Export Ban Prompts China Embassy Compliance Alert

The Government of Zimbabwe has recently suspended exports of raw minerals and lithium concentrates and introduced new regulations concerning reserved sectors.

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Zimbabwe reminds Chinese enterprises and nationals in Zimbabwe to further strengthen risk prevention and compliance awareness.

These developments follow Zimbabwe’s policy shifts in February 2026, including the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development’s immediate export suspension announced on February 25, 2026.

The measures are intended to address malpractices, promote local beneficiation, and enforce reserved sectors under new indigenisation rules (e.g., Statutory Instrument 215 of 2025).

In this context, investors should conduct a comprehensive, in-depth assessment of the local business environment, industrial policies, and relevant laws and regulations; fully consider investment and operational risks; and make informed decisions to avoid losses from government policy changes.

In the course of production and business operations in Zimbabwe, Chinese enterprises and nationals should strictly abide by local laws and regulations, adopt proactive risk prevention and control measures, and protect their legitimate rights and interests through legal channels.

 

Continue Reading

Trending