Happy Nsiku, defender of Zambia’s Under-20 national team, has called on home supporters to rally behind the team as it prepares to defend the 2024 COSAFA Under-20 Championship in Matola, Mozambique.

The Junior Chipolopolo are in Group B alongside Madagascar, Namibia, and Angola. The team will begin their campaign this afternoon against Angola at 15:00 CAT.

Head coach Boyd Mulwanda declared the tournamnet a must win. He is targeting qualifying for the 2025 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON).

“We know we are the defending champions; we just have to go there and defend the trophy and the boys are ready for this challenge,”  Mulwanda said. “Everyone is putting in their best from training; they have shown that they want to defend the trophy.”

We want to remain defending champions- Nsiku

In an interview with FAZ media, Nsiku stated that the team’s mission in Mozambique is to retain the title and qualify for the AFCON, which will be used as a qualifier for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup, scheduled for Chile.

“I just want to say thank you for giving us this wonderful opportunity; it is not going to be easy. What I can say to the fans back home is they just have to believe in us and everything is under control,” he said. “We are going there to remain as defending champions. Our target is to remain as defending champions; we want to bring the trophy back home.”

The tournament began yesterday at Matola’s ABB Stadium, with hosts Mozambique losing 4-5 Eswatini in the opening match of Group A. In Group C, Zimbabwe and Botswana drew 1-1.

The top teams from each of the three groups, as well as the best-placed runner-up, advance to the semifinals.

The two finalists will automatically qualify for the 2025 U-20 AfCON.

READ MORE: Zambia’s coach declares 2024 Cosafa U-20 championship must win