CAF 2007 young African footballer of the year award winner Clifford Mulenga has urged the Zambia under-23 National team to remain focused and use the home-ground advantage to beat Sierra Leone when they meet this Saturday for the second leg match of the 2023 TotalEnergies U-23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier to be played at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
The 35-year-old winger who now plays for Zambian Super League side Forest Rangers FC believes the boys played well in the first leg especially since they played away from home and managed to draw 1-1.
“If they can just build up where they left and use home ground advantage, it will be a big opportunity to proceed to the next round.” He told BolaNews in an exclusive interview.
Mulenga has also challenged the young Chipolopolo players to work extra hard as a qualification to the Africa Cup could be key to their dreams of excelling in their football careers.
“Players should not take the National team call-up lightly,” he said.
“They need to carry the National team badge with pride and whenever they wear the national team colours, they should represent the country well and help win and excel at the international level.”
Meanwhile, coach Oswald Mutapa has made five more new additions to the team that drew with the young Leone stars last weekend which include, Zesco United forward Songa Chipokya, Red Arrows FC defender Happy Nsiku, Shamuel Academy midfielder.
Others are Zambia under-20 National team Captain Dominic Kanda, Green Eagles’ Emmanuel Mukosha and Kafue Celtic defender Matthews Banda.
The young Chipolopolo will have to avoid defeat or a draw with more than one goal this Saturday to progress to the final round of the qualifiers.
The aggregate winner of the match will meet the winner of Sunday’s tie between Egypt and Eswatini for a spot at the junior AFCON finals set to be hosted in Morocco.
The tournament will also be used as the qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
