Zambia’s under-20 national team head coach, Chisi Mbewe, has rated his team’s preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations U20 tournament, which will be held in Egypt from February 19th to March 11th, at 85%.

The junior Chipolopolo who are camping in west Africa will this evening square off with Senegal in a friendly.

They lost 4-2 to Nigeria in their first friendly match last week and will seek redemption this evening.

Mbewe is pleased with how the team is shaping up in preparation for the competition which will also serve as the qualifier for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup to be held in Indonesia from May 20, 2023 – Jun 11, 2023.

“Am very happy with the way the preparations are going on so far from the local to the international, the response from the boys and the focus is good. “We are at 85% prepared in readiness for the tournament,” he said.

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“After the defeat by Nigeria, the boys were upset, but we encouraged them to soldier on and focus on the next game.” “We are happy we played Nigeria; it was a high-intensity game, and I am sure the boys have a true picture, which we anticipate in Egypt,” said Mbewe.

YOUNG CHIPOLOPOLO SEEKING WORLD QUALIFICATION

The young Chipolopolo now shift focus to their next opponent, the West African Champions, Senegal this evening before flying to Egypt for the tournament.

Zambia who last participated in the U-20 AFCON in 2017 when they hosted and won it, has been placed in Group C alongside Tunisia, Benin, and Gambia.

The Mbewe-led team will look to make it to the semifinals and secure a World Cup qualification for the first time in six years.