TEENAGE swimming sensational James Lawson and sprinter Michael Songore are expected to lead Zimbabwe’s quest for gold medals after the duo was named among the 224 Team Zimbabwe athletes for the African Union Region Five games in December.

Zimbabwe will host the competitions in Bulawayo from December 4 to 14 and the event is expected to attract some of the finest Under-20 sportsperson from the region.

In 2011, Lawson set the African junior swimming record at the 9th African Junior Swimming Championships which was held in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Back then he clocked 1:05:98s in the 100 metres breaststroke, beating the previous record of 1:07:55s as he won two gold medals from the meeting.

Now Lawson is more experienced and is expected to be one of the medal hopefuls for Zimbabwe along Peterhouse student Songore.

Songore represented Zimbabwe at the regional and world championships last year and is one of the finest sprinters in the country at the moment.

Team Zimbabwe chef-de-mission Sebastian Garikai said this year’s squad stands a good chance of scooping many medals as they bank on home support.

“We have set a target and want to scoop 40 medals to finish ahead of South Africa who have been winning, at least, 30 medals in the previous Games,” Garikai said.

Team Zimbabwe

Athletics

Men: Musazwi Anesu, Mutsetse Nyasha Keith, Fusire Leon Tadiwanashe, Songore Michael,Takakinyu Moses, Nyakuwengana Edwin, Gorejena Moment, Katuka Prince Ngaatendwe, Tshuma Bhekisisa, Dhlodhlo Philemon Mthokozisi, Khumalo Andile, Mada Brian, Nyathi Titus, Musarurwa Tatenda Rector, Hlanguyo Shingirai, Tawanda Tembo, Lusinga Pride Anesu, Ndebele Bumnene Nicanor, Sithole Ronaldhino, King Gary Richard, Zimuto Tendai, Matorwa Charles, Ncube Abraham, Manza Gude, Shava Gethrie.

Women: Chikanga Bertha, Shavi Olivia Chido, Ncube Enitha, Mahachi Tsitsi Carol, Dzinotyiwei Chido Fungai, Geza Buhle Tangu, Mhandu Caroline, Mudyiravanji Maryjoy, Mzinde Ruvarashe, Vanhuvaone Yvonne, Malinga Handeka Dawn, Ndlovu Nomagugu, Mafuta Rutendo, Tapfumaneyi Kellyrose Nyasha, Mtisi Mazvita, Bungu Anna, Chamboko Convenience, Kapfudzuruwa Nomatter, Mtisi Sheron Silivia, Guruve Patience,Tembo Antoneta, Majoni Vimbiso, Chetsanga Tapiwa, Mandibaya Hillary, Nkomo Wayne.

Athletics visually impaired

Men: Hove Aldrin Cyril, Nleya Pray Mbongeni, Mutukura Tafadzwa, Chimanikire Ashton, Ncube Brighton, Gwenzi Ojebianze, Gumede Shepherd, Mhone Fidelity, Tagwireyi Blessing, Lovemore Chifombo, Ncube Siphosenkosi, Mbedzi Simelenkosi, Gwenzi Ojebia, Tapiwa Bhasera, Lucky Chitimbe, Last Chitanda Gude.

Women: Chimanikire Beatrice, Mubvumba Rutendo Ivy, Shoko Libetra Lovemore, Gudekude Beaulah, Mutandadzi Moreblessing, Moyo Shylet, Mungate Chipo, Nechibvuri Sylvia Ellah, Nyamufukudza Dorcas, Sithole Uana, Faustina Madziva, Esther Mamvura, Nosta Decide Mkwara, Alfra Chiwanza Gude, Kwazinkosi Nkomo.

Basketball

Men: Wilson Charles, Kurangwa Hilton, Nyaude Brian Takudzwa, Takura Larry King Mukuru, Chikore Lance Tinotenda, Nyamuchengwa Kudakwashe, Penduka Noah, Chirara Tinotenda, Chimboera Gabriel, Gannon Gundani, Victor Bingura, Brian Mhuriyengwa.

Women: Majonga Mellisa, Mukamba Lenny, Nyauchi Christelle Rutendo, Ngandini Stabile Rutendo, Chawayipira Mary, Sekete Franscisca Tanyaradzwa, Chiromo Mutsamechelle, Kuwodza Itai, Muleya Brandida, Sibanda Isabel, Katsetse Nyasha, Cynthia Mambo.

Boxing

Ncube Ndodana, Mutsvairo I Nelson, Rumbidzo Herbert Marembo, Chingono Perkins, Lancilot Moyo, Ncube Dignity, Kutsaruware Emmanuel, Mhuruyengwe Spencer, Nkomozabo Trade Temba, Ncube Andile, Masiyambumbi Samson.

Football

Men: Shangiwa Kelvin, Ndlovu Tatenda, Ngwerume Spencer, Ncube Bukhosi, Ndlovu Mbongeni, Munzira James, Malunga Justice, Doroh Kupakwashe, Rukunda Fadzai, Tavengwa Tatenda, Khumalo Denzel, Kwinjo Malvin, Mataruse Harley, Sadikissa Chivandire Anelkat, Munsaka Ishmael, Sibanda Bukhosi, Kudyaridzire Thomas, Mthunzi Thembalethu, Lunga Lesue.

Women: Chirandu Mavis, Mapanhure Lydia, Ndhlovu Sukoluhle, Mharadzi Vimbai Rhoda, Banda Mitchell, Mupeti Priviledge, Nomazulu Tshuma, Vellah Nonhlanhla, Khumalo Colleta, Gumbo Happiness, Muchekenya Felistas, Marowa Mercy, Bhande Greater, Mageza Gracious, Mutseneki Rewesai, Mapaya Luncie, Nyakuzviranga Shylet, Chinyerere Ethel, Mahada Poute, Muhara Chipo.

Judo

Men: Pavari Tapiwa, Sipapate Gabriel Junior,Tsvande George Tanaka, Mashayi Benjamin, Chikomo Takudzwa, Mukuna Nigel, Ganje Allen, Mubayiwa Rodrick.

Women: Dingani Nonikosi, Makuwe Melissa, Leanne Tarya, Ranganayi Ropafadzo, Matsvayi Ruvarashe, Chikaka Prudence, Dube Chelsea, Mangoni Sheron.

Netball

Ncube Junior, Chitiva Sthembile, Kwangwa Felistus, Bwanali Sharon Tanyaradzwa, Ncube Sanele Sicinile, Mukwadi Mercy Felistus, Chiwenga Chido Confidence, Kakono Nyasha, Mbimba Tasuma, Makhalima Nomagugu, Chigora Monalisa, Mauladi Patricia.

Swimming

Men: Davis Liam, Onorati Chase Lorenzo, Ngwenya Lebogang, Netsha Mmelwa, Tink Ashby John, Steyl Dylan Russell, Stener Kurt, Wetzlar Peter Charles, White Alistar, Lawson James, Prine Stuart, Joseph Gabriel Arthur, Horsley Colin David, Idensohn Chad, Burnett Aiden, Jones Keegan Duncan, Burnett lan, Chang Brandon Lee, Cypriano Andresious, Cyprianos Brendon.

Women: Hencil Sydney, Graham Kaleigh, Hoskins Davies Siobhan, Johnston Emily Patricia, Brown Roxanne Leigh, Dingiswayo Cerise Nontsikelelo, Lee Robin Stacie, Doorman Lorna Kathleen, Maberly Katrina, Mutseriwa Gamuchirai Shantel, Mutangadura Ratidzo Michelle, Maruta Rutendo Munashe, Van Den Bergh Wanda, Simon Kristy, Stephens Laurie Jess, Pecocke Rebecca Orammarie.

Tennis

Men: Saurombe Ronzai, Mariga Taremeredzwa