Zimbabwe soccer to take on S Africa

HARARE - This year's Unity Day celebrations will see Zimbabwe's Mighty Warriors taking on Banyana Banyana on two fronts as South Africa are bringing the U-20 squad as well as the senior squad to play their Zimbabwean counterparts at Rufaro stadium on December 22, the state radio said on Thursday.

The Zimbabwe Mighty Warriors and Young Mighty Warriors, the U-20 team, trooped for camp on Monday to begin preparations for the Unity Cup against Banyana Banyana's two squads.

An upbeat coach, Rosemary Mugadza expressed satisfaction on the players' response to the call of duty, revealing she has maintained the squad that featured in Egypt and has only recruited one midfielder, Alice Chigura from the U-20 side into the senior team.

For U-20 assistant coach, Sithethelelwe Sibanda, the curtain raisers match against South Africa's U-20 will be a real test on their rebuilding exercise.

It will be a repeat of the 2010 Unity Cup challenge with the only difference hoped for being a good outing for the hosts. Last year, the Mighty Warriors lost 3-0 to Banyana Banyana.

The real test will, however, be in the curtain raisers where the Zimbabwe U-20 developmental side that ceded eight of their players to the senior team will get a real test of action after a long period of inactivity.

The Unity Cup will be played on the 22nd of this month at Rufaro Stadium the same day that Zimbabwe will be commemorating Unity Day.