Soweto — ZIMBABWE'S Under-20 team is set to play Lesotho in their second match of the Metropolitan-Cosafa Under-20 Youth Championship at Dobsonville here tomorrow.

The Young Warriors, winners of the event in 2001, 2002 and 2007, are bidding for a place in the quarter-finals.

This will be Zimbabwe's second game after their 2-2 draw with Botswana on Saturday.

In the game on Saturday, Zimbabwe scored two quick goals in five minutes, but the Young Warriors could not hold on to their comfortable lead as they allowed Botswana to come back.

The Young Warriors grabbed their two goals courtesy of Kevin Sibanda (10th minute) and Russel Madamombe (15th) with a cheeky free-kick taken from just outside the penalty box.

Playing under hot conditions, both teams struggled to find their rhythm.

However, it was the Young Warriors who settled down first when Qadr Amin's free kick was headed for a goal by Sibanda. Before Botswana could organise their defence, Zimbabwe hit again, this time through Madamombe, who unleashed a thunderbolt from 25 yards.

After the breather, Botswana came back a rejuvenated side and it came as no surprise when captain Aubrey Kebonnetse pulled one back for the Young Zebras following a defensive mix-up by Zimbabwe. Botswana hit again through Bogosi Mfila in the 67th minute following another defensive blunder by Zimbabwe's defenders.

Young Warriors head coach Methembe Ndlovu was still happy with the result.

"This is a new team. I am happy with the way they played because they gave us a result. If one looked at the way they played, there was no good combination due to lack of good understanding on the basis that they are not used to each other," said Ndlovu. Botswana coach Odirile Matlhaku said his boys gave too much respect for Zimbabwe, particularly in the first half. "We could have beaten Zimbabwe had it not been for the respect that we gave them. But one other thing that worked against us was the heavy turf."

Teams

ZIMBABWE: Liberty Chirava, Lyson Dube, Patrick Kaunda, Proud Zireni, Kevin Sibanda, Qadr Amin, Khama Billiart, Russel Madamombe, Yasser Chapfika, Victor Kamhuka, Munashe Chenembedza.

BOTSWANA: Basimanenotlhe Moilwa, Mogakolodi Ngele, Bakang Moeng, Thato Bolweleng, Pako Lekgari, Kaelo Kgaswane, Isaac Paeye, Bogosi Mfila, Kgaodi Odirile, Aubrey Kebonnetse, Gofaone Molefe.