OnSport Reporter
PROSPECTIVE Under-17 national team players in the diaspora have been urged to attend trials in Harare as Zifa steps up preparations for the Cosafa Under-17 Championships to be kick off in the capital from September 11.
The trials started on Monday at Eaglesvale School in Harare and the final selection of the team will be on Saturday and immediately go into camp.
The call for players based in the diaspora comes following a nationwide selection process where a team of coaches assessed local players.
The two sets of players are set to be training together for the duration of the week as the final selection is made.
The TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations/Cosafa qualifiers 2026 will be staged in Harare from September 11-20, 2025.
One of the coaches who spoke on conditions of anonymity, said they are aiming to scout for young talent to represent the country in the upcoming international competitions and the initiative is part of Zifa’s broader effort to rebuild and strengthen its national teams.
The association has also explicitly stated that no trials will be arranged or facilitated through “agents,” a measure likely intended to prevent unscrupulous intermediaries from exploiting aspiring footballers.
This U-17 trial is a crucial step in Zifa’s bid to turn a new page after a tumultuous period marked by financial instability and a Fifa ban.
The focus on grassroots and youth development is seen as a way to build a sustainable pipeline of talent, something that has been a challenge for the senior team.
The success of this initiative will be vital for the future of Zimbabwean football on the international stage.
TOTALENERGIES CAF UNDER-17 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS | COSAFA QUALIFIERS 2026
GROUP A: Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Comoros, Eswatini
GROUP B: Zambia, South Africa, Madagascar, Malawi
GROUP C: Angola, Botswana, Mauritius, Lesotho