HARARE - The Under-17 African Youth Championship qualifier between Zimbabwe and Congo has been moved to Tuesday, a development which has delayed the Young Warriors’ trip, which hung in the balance for the better part of the week.

The Young Warriors, who lost 2-1 in the first leg in Harare early this month, were initially scheduled to clash with the Congolese in Brazzaville on Friday.

Young Warriors manager Zivanai Chiyangwa confirmed the new development yesterday.

“The match has been moved to Tuesday next week. We will have clear travel plans tomorrow (today),” Chiyangwa told the Daily News yesterday.

The Young Warriors will travel to Congo handicapped by the absence of 18 players, who are writing end-of-year exams.

Though coach Lloyd Chigowe has expressed optimism in finding able replacements, many expect the new-look Zimbabwe side to find the going tough at Stade Alphonse Massamba Debat.

Of the 18 unavailable players, Zimbabwe’s biggest casualty will be their leading goal scorer, Tinotenda Kadewere, who has scored in every match he has featured for the budding footballers.

His creativity will no doubt be missed in the creative hub of the Young Warriors.

“It is a pity we will not have these players with us, but that is behind us. We have new players who will be worthy ambassadors for the country,” Chiyangwa said.

“We have over 15 000 players playing across the junior leagues in the country.

“So it was not a problem to replace those writing examinations,” he added.