The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) is reportedly planning to field a developmental squad made up of players aged 23 and under for the 2025 COSAFA Cup, set to take place in Bloemfontein, South Africa, from 4 to 15 June.
This approach wouldn’t be new, as several nations, including hosts South Africa, have previously used the COSAFA Cup as a platform to identify and nurture young talent for their senior national teams.
The South African Football Association (SAFA), for instance, has allowed head coach Hugo Broos to step aside for the tournament in recent years, with his assistants, Helman Mkhalele or Morena Ramaloboli, overseeing the team.
Zimbabwe’s Under-20 coach, Simon Marange, is expected to lead the young squad at COSAFA, as head coach Michael Nees and his assistant Takesure Chiragwi will be with the senior Warriors side in Casablanca, Morocco.
The national team will be playing international friendlies against Niger and Burkina Faso during the same period.
Zimbabwe are set to face Niger on 6 June, followed by a match against the Stallions on 10 June, both falling within the FIFA international window.
As of Wednesday night, ZIFA had not yet made an official announcement. However, an unnamed senior official, speaking to The Herald, said the association has opted to send a developmental side to the COSAFA tournament. Said the source:
That is the position right now. Players aged 23 and under will represent Zimbabwe in the upcoming COSAFA Cup contest in South Africa.
They could go with Simon Marange as the head coach, as ZIFA have decided to give a chance to development players to showcase themselves at this level.
The regular Warriors squad will be in Morocco, as ZIFA knows the friendlies, which fall under the FIFA calendar, will have a bearing on their international rankings.
That’s the position right now. The senior side has to do well in Morocco, while the youngsters should up the bar in South Africa.
Back to top