National team coach Ian Bakala says his boys are ready to defend the under-17 Council of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup, which kicks off on Wednesday in Johannesburg, South Africa.
A new under-17 team has been assembled with Zambia stationed in Group B against Namibia, eSwatini, and Zimbabwe. Bakala has set his sights beyond the preliminary stages of the competition.
Bakala believes he has assembled a good team.
“We have a good side; two of them have played COSAFA and AfCON before; the two are motivating their friends and mentally, I think they are coping well; even the new guys are looking as if they have been here before, which is good for the team,” he said.
He revealed that the target is to defend the cup.
“As we are going, the team is ready for the championship; we have to go and defend the cup. The preparations went well; there is discipline in the team; we are looking forward to getting the cup,” Bakala said.
Zambia has already arrived in South Africa. They left Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at 07h20 on a Zambia Airways flight and arrived at OR Tambo International Airport at 09:20.
Their first game is against Namibia on December 5 at the UJ AW Mulla Stadium, followed by a two-day match against Zimbabwe at the same venue.
They will play their last Group B game against Eswatini on December 9 at the UJ Soweto Stadium.
Zambia must go to the finals in order to qualify for AFCON.
