After guiding Zambia to its historic first-ever qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, head coach Ian Bakala has now shifted his focus to winning the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Junior Chipolopolo secured their place in the quarterfinals — and a World Cup ticket — with a 2-1 victory over Uganda in their final Group A match. Bakala’s side advanced with an unbeaten run, registering two wins and a draw, scoring six goals while conceding just two. Their 0-0 stalemate with Morocco rounded off a solid group stage campaign.
Speaking after the win, Bakala emphasized that while World Cup qualification is a significant achievement, the team must now turn its attention to the knockout stages, beginning with a tough quarterfinal clash against an unbeaten Burkina Faso side on Thursday.
“This is the first time we are going to the World Cup…… For now we have to concentrate on the quarter-finals. It’s a good thing we won; it was a very difficult game. Looking at Uganda, they were just pumping the ball, and I think my boys got tired a bit,” he stated.
“Credit goes to the players, because the programme of going to the World Cup has been there for three to four years, and now we have done a good job; now our job is to concentrate on the quarter-finals.”
Bakala Urges Team To Focus
Bakala also urged his players to put the group stage behind them.
“This game is gone; we are out of the group stages, but we have to fight again. We are looking for the cup now; we need to focus on the coming games. With each game we are playing, it is becoming difficult. Looking at the teams we are facing in the upcoming matches,” Bakala said.
Zambia will take on Burkina Faso in the quarterfinals on Thursday at 6:00 PM.
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