The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has announced that the U-17 national team will compete in a four-nation tournament with hosts Morocco, Egypt, and Senegal from February 18 to 22 at Mohammed VI Football Complex.
FAZ president Andrew Kamanga believes that this will provide the team with high-level international games leading up to the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where they have been drawn in Group A alongside Morocco, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Meanwhile, Ian Bakala, the team’s head coach, reacted to the draw, which occurred last week.
“I think it’s a fair group, despite the fact that we have been playing Morocco even in the last Africa Cup. The last tournament we had, the youth tournament, we played against Morocco. Again, we are playing them this coming week, which I think we are going to use this an opportunity [ to prepare] for the upcoming Africa Cup,” Bakala said.
“Looking at the preparation, we are playing Morocco; I don’t think we are going to lose our strength. We just have to see the fitness of the players. And maybe in the other games, we can do much better than the game against Morocco.
Bakala also disclosed that he may not go to Morocco with all his players for the friendly matches.
“We are not going to carry all the players who are going to the Africa Cup. Others, I think they’ll remain because of passport issues.”
Bakala on AFCON opponents
On his opponents at the AFCON which will run between 30 March to 19 April 2025, Bakala has singled out Morocco as the strongest opponent while fancying his team’s chances against Uganda and Tanzania.
“I think Morocco, which is stronger than others, we just have to work on Morocco. And, looking at the other two countries, I think we have played Tanzania in a youth tournament, which I think they did well. They’ve got a good side,” he stated.
“We are ready for them and looking forward this time, we are doing much better than what we did in the last Africa Cup. And looking at the boys, which we have, we’re going to do much better.”
Bakala has hinted at adding some players playing outside the country to the final AFCON Under-17 squad.
“It’s a good test for us, looking at the competition we’re playing. Africa Cup, I think, a lot of countries have professional players, who are playing some in Europe, good countries,” Bakala said.
“But for us, I think we only have a local team at the moment. Despite that, we are expecting one or two, which is going to strengthen our team. We are going to do much better than before Looking at our group, we are looking much stronger; we just have to work extra hard even now for us to get good results. Definitely, we’ll qualify.”
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