Harare — JUST a month after conquering the Southern African region, Zimbabwe will now try and spread its football dominance to the Central and Eastern African region when the nation takes part in the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup in Kenya next week.

Zimbabwe won the invitation to play at the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup following their 3-1 win over Zambia in the final of the Cosafa Cup.

The Government has agreed to bankroll Zimbabwe's participation at the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup and the nation will be represented by an Under-23 side led by coach Norman Mapeza.

The former Monomotapa United coach was one of the technical experts who helped the Warriors power their way to victory in the Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup.

Last week Zifa appealed to the Government, through the Sports Commission, for funding to undertake their Kenyan adventure.

Yesterday Zifa chief executive, Henrietta Rushwaya, broke the news that the Government had agreed to bankroll the trip to Kenya.

"We are pleased to announce that Zifa will now be sending a team to represent Zimbabwe at the Cecafa tournament in Kenya," said Rushwaya.

"It's through the efforts of the Government, once again, that we are able to participate.

"As we revealed last week, we sent a request to the Government and I am happy that they have given us the money," said Rushwaya.

Rushwaya said the Government had agreed to give her association the US$20 400 that it needed for airfares and related expenses.

Cecafa is providing full board accommodation and transport once the teams get to Nairobi.

"The amount we got from the Government is what we had asked for air-tickets," she said.

Zimbabwe took part at the same event in 1985 when it hosted and won the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup at Rufaro.

Now, 24 years later, the ground has been set for Zimbabwe to rekindle its dance with teams from central and eastern Africa. This year's Cecafa tournament received a major boost when mobile services provider, Orange, agreed to bankroll the tournament for the next eight years.

Orange, who are based in France, have also taken over from MTN as the major sponsors and partners of Caf.

Zifa will, however, not be sending the Cosafa winning side to Kenya but have opted to field an Under-23 side.

Rushwaya said Zifa have made slight changes in plans by giving the Under-23 team the nod.

"Sending the Under-23 team is part of our efforts to create a bigger base for the national teams.

"We have learnt from the experience of the inaugural African Nations Champions that some senior local players would want to make moves soon after the end of the Premiership.

"Like we had Justice Majabvi, Edward Sadomba and Clemence Matawu moving out of the country just a few days before CHAN.

"Now some players from the Cosafa squad possibly want to move elsewhere and might not be available for Cesafa.

"Besides we had kept the Under-23 on the bay as they should have gone to Asia for a tour but it was called off," she said.

Rushwaya said Zifa will be using the Under-23s as part of the preparations for the 2011 CHAN and the 2012 Nations Cup.

The Cosafa winning squad is also in the picture for 2011 CHAN.

Former Monomotapa coach Norman Mapeza will take charge of the team and will be assisted by Chidzambwa.

Yesterday Mapeza and Chidzambwa were scheduled to shortlist players for Cecafa.