Out of action today, Zambia’s U-20 national team could drop from second place in their Africa U-20 Cup of Nations (AfCON) group standings as four other teams take to the field. Group leaders Egypt will be aiming to secure a quarter-final slot.
Despite playing out a scoreless draw in their opening game, the Junior Chipolopolo sit second with one point—level with Sierra Leone and two points behind Egypt. Tanzania and South Africa currently occupy the bottom spots with no points.
Today’s clash between Tanzania and South Africa is crucial. If either side secures a win, they will leapfrog Zambia in the standings ahead of Junior Chipolopolo’s next match against Egypt on Saturday.
The group consists of five teams, with the top two earning automatic quarter-final qualification. The third-placed team may also progress, depending on the standings in the other groups.
Egypt, currently leading, is determined to avoid the uncertainty of a wildcard route and will be aiming to seal qualification when they face Sierra Leone today. However, the match promises to be challenging, as Sierra Leone proved to be a solid side in their game against Zambia.
Injuries Rock Young Chipolopolo Camp
Meanwhile, Zambia’s rest day offers a chance to regroup and prepare thoroughly for their key encounter against Egypt.
An update from the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) confirmed that preparations are ongoing at full throttle, although key players Mathews Banda and Joseph Sabobo Banda are yet to return to full training.
Banda picked up an injury in the first half of the opener against Sierra Leone, while Sabobo sustained a minor knock but is expected to be available for the Egypt clash.
“The team is in great shape, we have almost 100 percent except for two players, Sabobo and Mathews [Banda]… In the previous game that we had, Mathew sustained an injury, it’s a minor one so we rested him so he should be starting rehab possibly tomorrow,” team doctor Aaron Munkondya said.
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