Zambia under-20 National Team head coach, Chisi Mbewe believes his side will be able to emulate the performance of the senior national team and women’s national team by winning the 2022 COSAFA U-20 Championship.
Speaking in an interview before departure For Eswatini this afternoon, Mbewe expressed confidence that the technical bench have prepared the team well and they are ready to compete at the regional tournament.
” So far so good, the team has been prepared so well, and we had a difficult time as the technical bench to pick up the final team due to the number of good players that were available but we managed and I am confident that we be able to compete”, He said
He further added that the team will aim at emulating the Zambia senior national Soccer team, Zambia women’s national team and Green buffaloes women’s football club who have set the benchmark this year by winning the regional tournaments.
“We have been reminding the boys over the achievement of the senior national team, women’s national team as well as Green buffaloes women’s football club who have set the benchmark this year by winning the regional tournament, and we hope to emulate them as well,” Coach Chisi Mbewe said.
He also emphasized that every player who has been selected for this assignment understands the task ahead which is to qualify for the 2023 under-20 Egypt Africa Cup OF Nations where Zambia has failed to qualify after winning the tournament in 2017.
Former Under 17 captain Joseph Sabobo Banda will lead the team with the likes of Charles Majapa Mumba, kinglesy Mutandwa both from Athletic Lusaka And Zesco United winger Chipyoka Songa, the team also includes Nkana recent left back revelation Amon Chulu and Green Eagles duo of Derrick Bulaya and Emmanuel Mukosha.
Zambia will begin their Group A campaign against Mauritius at Somhlolo stadium on the 7th October before facing hosts Eswatini on the 10th of October and they will wrap up their final group match against Botswana on the 11th October.
The tournament which will run from 7th October to 16th October in Eswatini will also be used as a qualifier for the 2023 U-20 AFCON.