By Marshall Bwanya
HARARE — Zimbabwe’s Young Warriors face a daunting fight to keep their 2027 Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations hopes alive after suffering a crushing 3-0 home defeat to Mali.
The Young Warriors were punished for a sluggish start at the National Sports Stadium on Wednesday, with the visitors striking in the eighth minute to silence the home crowd.
Mali doubled their advantage before the half-hour mark, leaving Zimbabwe struggling to find a response as the West Africans dictated proceedings.
Assistant coach Wilson Mutekede, standing in for head coach Marc Sánchez, watched his side concede again 10 minutes into the second half as Mali tightened their grip on the tie.
Zimbabwe failed to find the net, leaving them with a three-goal mountain to climb when the two sides meet for the return leg in Bamako next Tuesday.
The Young Warriors must produce a vastly improved performance and overturn the deficit away from home to keep their qualification campaign alive.
Victory over the two legs will secure a place in the third qualifying round, where seven aggregate winners will join hosts Egypt at the 2027 finals.
