Supersport United new striker won’t play for COSAFA Cup
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SuperSport United striker Nokutenda Mangezi won’t be available for 2024 men’s under 20 COSAFA Cup for his nation Warriors as his club did not release him for the upcoming national duty.
Mangezi was part of the squad that was selected by Simon Marange for the tournament which kicks off on September 25 in Maputo, Mozambique.
Zimbabwe is placed on Group A together with Eswatini, Botswana and host Mozambique for this year’s edition.
Mangezi’s upsent was announced by Young Warrior’s coach Marange ahead of the team’s departure on Tuesday.
Marange revealed that he has been keeping eye tab on the youngstar and highlighted that he is impressed by the progress of Mangezi.
He said “He is a player that I have been following for a while, I had an opportunity to watch him at SuperSport.
“Unfortunately he will not be with us at the COSAFA, Supersport do really need his services at the moment.
“This tournament does not come at a FIFA window, so we have to ask the clubs for layers and whether you get them or not it’s up to the clubs.”
Mangezi was signed by SuperSport United from Zimbabwean academy RealBetis in August.
SuperSport United signed the youngstar after they lost the service of Bradley Grobler who sustained injury.
Zimbabwe coach Marange went on to highlight that he was hoping to have the service of young striker.
He said “He would have been an important player for us, yes it will be a blow not having him but the other players we have are good also.
“We have capable players joining us in that position, Alex Cherera is coming from Barry FC who has scored four goals in the FA Cup.
“There is also Denzel Mapuwa from Green Fuel in that department who was one of our top performers in Malawi.”
Zimbabwe is marking its return to the tournament after missing the past two years’ edition due to a FIFA ban.
BY LUCKY SEANEGO
