Youngest AFCON star Chakuchichi, Mutasa, Chihweta headline big omissions as Sanchez names Young Warriors squad

At just 16 years old, winger Tadiwa Joshua Chakuchichi etched his name into Zimbabwean history by stepping onto the pitch to become the youngest player to ever feature at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Yet that historic feat has not been enough to earn him a place in Marc Sanchez’s Young Warriors squad for the upcoming CAF Olympic Qualifiers.

Chakuchichi is one of the headline omission from the 24-man squad unveiled by ZIFA, in a selection that has raised eyebrows for several other key absentees.

FC Hunters’ highly-rated duo of Vusa Ngwenya and Mafios Chiweta, TelOne midfielder Calvin Chigara and Dynamos starlet Nathan Mutasa are also among the notable Under 23 players to miss out, despite strong domestic form that had many tipping them for U23 inclusion.

SANCHEZ SNUBS CHAKUCHICHI, MUTASA AS HE OPTS TO LEAN ON FOREIGN-BASED CONTINGENT

Marc Sanchez’s Young Warriors squad for the upcoming CAF Olympic Qualifiers. Picture by ZIFA

Sanchez has instead opted to lean heavily on a foreign-based contingent to lead Zimbabwe’s Olympic qualifying charge.

England dominates the call-ups, with Aston Villa goalkeeper Jayen Garthwaite, Sheffield Wednesday defender Sean Fusire, Ipswich Town’s Corbin Mthunzi, Fulham midfielder Seth Chingwaro, Norwich City duo Miles Bracking and Jayden Munikwa, Brentford’s David Chigwara and Portsmouth’s Elisha Pfupa all included.

The squad is completed by Newcastle Jets’ Taropafadzwa Wafawarova, FK Sarajevo’s Shane Maroodza, Finland-based Prosper Padera [SJK Seinajoki], South Africa-based Junior Chigumbu [Houtbay United], Australia-based Richard Nkomo [South Melbourne] and Birmingham’s Menzi Mazwi.

Locally, Sanchez has kept faith with Ngezi Platinum duo Tatenda Chikowero and Tanaka Munemo, Manica Diamonds pair Joseph Kaunda and Darrel Zulu, MWOS FC’s Timmy Kushata and Keith Handirade, Chicken Inn’s Garie Jr Brendon Chibika and Highlanders’ Prince Ndlovu, alongside FC Hunters’ Tadiwanashe Huni.

Full Young Warriors Squad:

GOALKEEPERS: Jayen Carthwaite (Aston Villa), Tatenda Chikowero (Ngezi Platinum), Joseph Kaunda (Manica Diamonds)

DEFENDERS: Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday), Corbin Mthunzi (Ipswich Town), Shane Maroodza (Sarajevo), Taropafadzwa Wafarowa (Newcastle Jets), Takudzwa Gwanzura (Norwich City), Jayden Munikwa (Norwich City), Keith Handirade (MWOS FC), Richard Nkomo (South Melbourne)

MIDFIELDERS: Tadiwanashe Huni (FC Hunters), Prosper Padera (SJK Seinajoki), Garie Jr Brendon Chibika (Chicken Inn), Miles Bracking (Norwich City), Seth Chingwaro (Fulham), Noel Zimbeva (Radford), Junior Chigumbu (Houtbay United), Menzi Mazwi (Birmingham)

FORWARDS: Timmy Kushata (MWOS FC), Darrel Zulu (Manica Diamonds), Tanaka Munemo (Ngezi Platinum), Prince Ndlovu (Highlanders), Elisha Pfupa (Portsmouth), David Chigwara (Brentford), Vernon Masara (Peterborough)

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