The Young Warriors are down and out of the 2015 Africa Youth Championships at a time Highlanders, after a long time of trying and failing, finally broken the jinx by posting a rare win against rivals Dynamos to be crowned the Zimbabwe National Army Charity Shield Champions.
It was a weekend of mourning for Zimbabwean football after the Young Warriors were humiliated 3-0 by South Africa sending them out of the running for a place at the 2015 Africa Youth Championships.
With that defeat also goes Zimbabwe’s dream of qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games as the top three teams at the Africa Youth Championships in November will qualify for the Olympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Soccer followers, however, were not surprised given the manner in which the Young Warriors had prepared for the game.
Coach Kalisto Pasuwa only joined the team on the eve of their departure to South Africa while the players at one time boycotted training after ZIFA failed to provide them with food at a lodge where they were staying.
Football analyst Farain Kambamura says defeat was expected.
The Young Warriors will now focus their attention to the less important Africa Games to be held in Congo Brazaville in September.
Highlanders follower Prosper Muzanharwo says players have to be paid if good results are to come
Highlanders on their part broke the eight year jinx after beating Dynamos in the Zimbabwe National Army Charity Shield at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
The Bulawayo giants had not beaten Dynamos in a game since 2007 be it a friendly, league or cup match and coach Bongani Mafu is happy to be the first Bosso coach to beat the popular Harare giants.
This was Tonderayi Ndiraya’s first game in charge of Dynamos following the sacking of David Mandigora.
Ndiraya is accepting defeat but says his focus is now on the games to come.
Now to cricket: Craig Ervine capped a five star performance with a century as Zimbabwe overcame New Zealand by seven wickets at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
Ervine hit 130 as he powered Zimbabwe to a 1-0 lead in the three match One Day International Series.
The two teams will square off in the second game at the same venue tomorrow.