The nation U23 team is in Mozambique where they will play in an Afcon qualifier this afternoon.

The Young Warriors arrived in the eastern country yesterday afternoon after missing their initial scheduled flight from South Africa on Wednesday night.

The match is the first in the campaign for the Young Warriors after they received a first-round bye. Kick-off is at 4 pm Zimbabwean time at Estádio Nacional do Zimpeto in Maputo.

Coach Tonderai Ndiraya named a relatively strong squad which is blended with both foreign and local-based players. Goalkeeper Martin Mapisa of Velez CF in Spain and Matifadzi Zata who plays for Dundee United in Scotland are some of the notable names in the selection along with Highlanders Prince Dube who is returning to the national fold for the first in over a year.

The Young Warriors need a positive result to carry into the second leg which will be played at National Sports Stadium four days later.

The hosts, on the other hand, are hoping to use the home advantage and also get a result. Unlike their opponents, the Young Mambas have been in action more recently when they played Swaziland in the first round of the competition less than four months ago.

The winner in the tie will face either Angola or South Africa in the final qualifying process to determine who goes through to the finals in Egypt.

Zim Squad:
Goalkeepers: Martin Mapisa (Velez CF, Spain), Nelson Chadya (Ngez Platinum).

Defenders: Reward Mwakona (Ards, N. Ireland), Mbongeni Ndlovu (Highlanders), Peace Makaha (Manica Diamonds), Shadreck Nyahwa (Bulawayo Chiefs).

Midfielders: Tatenda Tavengwa (Harare City), Marlvin Kwinjo (Ngezi Platinum), Kudzai Dhemere (Dynamos), Seth Patrick (VfB Luebeck, Germany), Matifadzi Zata (Dundee United, Scotland), Anelka Chivandire (Triangle United), Nicholas Guyo (Ubuntu Cape Town, S.A).

Strikers: Delic Murimba (Triangle United), Junior Zindoga (Maritzburg United, S.A), Prince Dube (Highlanders), Aubriel Chirinda (Chicken Inn).