Young Warriors hammered 3-0 by Mali in AFCON qualifier

Zimbabwe’s Under-23 men’s football team face an uphill task to reach the 2027 Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations, let alone the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, after losing 3-0 at home to Mali in the first leg of their second-round qualifier at the National Sports Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

Mali struck early, taking the lead in the eighth minute through Aboubacar Sidibe. They doubled their advantage in the 28th minute when Niama Pape Sissoko converted from the penalty spot to give the visitors a 2-0 lead at half-time.

The visitors needed only 10 minutes after the restart to put the tie beyond doubt, with Seydou Dembele scoring their third goal of the afternoon.

The result leaves the Young Warriors with a mountain to climb in the return leg if they are to keep their Olympic hopes alive.

Mali, who have qualified for the Olympic Games twice before — in Athens in 2004 and Paris in 2024 — will head into the second leg with a commanding advantage.

Zimbabwe will need a remarkable performance away from home to overturn the three-goal deficit and progress to the next round.

If they get past Mali over the two legs, they are likely to face Algeria, who are involved in a second-round tie with Eswatini.

Should the Young Warriors negotiate both hurdles, they will book a place at the eight-team Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations finals scheduled for Egypt next year.

Only the top two teams from that tournament will qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

More: NewZimbabwe.com