Zambia’s Under-20 National Team will begin their TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Benin this evening in Group C and coach Chisi Mbewe has flatly stated their target.
The Junior Chipolopolo will be looking to win their second title at after winning the Cup on home soil in 2017.
The 2023 Indonesia FIFA World Cup automatic qualification for the top four teams at the tournament is also at stake.
READ MORE: 2023 U-20 AFCON KICKS OFF IN EGYPT
Mbewe, says their main target is to qualify for the World Cup. He added that they also want to win the tournament; therefore, tonight’s game will have to set the tone.
“We have come here not to participate but to compete. Before we even traveled, we had set goals that we wanted to attain in this tournament. One of the major goals is to qualify for the world cup and even play the final and be able to win the final,” Mbewe said during a pre-match press conference.
“The first game is very important; it is the game that will set the tone or path of where we want to go.
“So, the most important thing is that we just need to work extra hard; we need to emphasize and encourage the players all the time; we need to remind them of the reason we are here.”
Young Chipolopolo out to replicate U-20 AFCON 2017 triumph
Zambia will enter the tournament with a reputation for producing young, talented players from such competitions that went on to be big stars.
On each of the three occasions when the junior Chipolopolo boys qualified for the competition, they produced to top players.
After winning the tournament in 2017, players like Rangers FC’s Fashion Sakala, retired midfielder Encok Mwepu, and Leicester City’s Patson Daka broke through.
Zambia’s predicted starting XI Vs Benin
Coach Mbewe is expected to start with Jeban Tembo between the sticks. In defense, Lombe Mutale and Amon Chulu will likely start as the right and left backs, respectively. Gift Mphande and Onesmas Chipango will complete the back four.
Peter Chikola, Songa Chipyoka, Dominic Kanda, and Julius Kumwenda are expected to complete the midfield.
Upfront Emmanuel Mukosha and Kingston Mutandwa are likely to start.
BETTING TIP: Zambia to win with 2-3 goals in the match.
