CAF U20 AFCON Final Preview: Immortality beckons

No one remembers the loser, let alone the fact that a team reached the finals.

Etched in memories of those present to witness and those that shall be told from decade to decade will be a beautiful story of how a group of talented, focused and hard working young men went to battle, fought and conquered the continents elite at their level.

A chance is presented for each of the sides to wipe away tears that have been falling on cheeks of their country men following dismal performances from senior chipolopolo lately and teranga lions’s continued underachieving.

The task at hand requires will, skill,strength, wits and all other facets that deliver triumphs at the end of hard labour and dying a little for one’s country.

Few would have noticed the similarities between the two finalists, here I draw the comparisons and contrasts that make this a mouth watering prospect.

SIMILARITIES-

Both teams are Free scoring-

Zambia have scored an Impressive 11 goals and have only allowed 2.On the other hand,senegal have weighed in with eight but have been almost as equally generous at the back By letting in 4.

As good as they may be going forward,they still have to do a lot defensively.

They managed to dispatch Guinea chiefly because Guinea were inneficient in fron of goal..

Both teams have shown great character to come back when down and go on to win Matches.

Senegal came down from a 2 goal deficit to dispatch south africa in impressive fashion and also came from a goal down to hold sudan whilst playing with 10 Men for over 70 Minutes.

On the other hand,Zambia came from a goal down in the mauling of Mali and to escape from Pharaos cage in their humbling and subsequent elimination of Egypt.

On this Basis ,all teams will come in with a ‘never say die attitude’ and will fight till the end. Additionally,Both sides have shown great Mental ability and strength to withstand pressure as was generated for zambia by their own fans and for senegal who have had majorities supporting the opposition through out the course of the tournament.

CAF U20 AFCON FINAL PREVIEW: IMMORTALITY BECKONS

by Coach Franklyn Malambo

No one remembers the loser, let alone the fact that a team reached the finals.

Etched in memories of those present to witness and those that shall be told from decade to decade will be a beautiful story of how a group of talented, focused and hard working young men went to battle, fought and conquered the continents elite at their level.

A chance is presented for each of the sides to wipe away tears that have been falling on cheeks of their country men following dismal performances from senior chipolopolo lately and teranga lions’s continued underachieving.

The task at hand requires will, skill,strength, wits and all other facets that deliver triumphs at the end of hard labour and dying a little for one’s country.

Few would have noticed the similarities between the two finalists, here I draw the comparisons and contrasts that make this a mouth watering prospect.

SIMILARITIES-

Both teams are Free scoring-

Zambia have scored an Impressive 11 goals and have only allowed 2.On the other hand,senegal have weighed in with eight but have been almost as equally generous at the back By letting in 4.

As good as they may be going forward,they still have to do a lot defensively.

They managed to dispatch Guinea chiefly because Guinea were inneficient in fron of goal..

Both teams have shown great character to come back when down and go on to win Matches.

Senegal came down from a 2 goal deficit to dispatch south africa in impressive fashion and also came from a goal down to hold sudan whilst playing with 10 Men for over 70 Minutes.

On the other hand,Zambia came from a goal down in the mauling of Mali and to escape from Pharaos cage in their humbling and subsequent elimination of Egypt.

On this Basis ,all teams will come in with a ‘never say die attitude’ and will fight till the end. Additionally,Both sides have shown great Mental ability and strength to withstand pressure as was generated for zambia by their own fans and for senegal who have had majorities supporting the opposition through out the course of the tournament.

CONTRASTS-Even if TV graphics have kept on showing zambia lining up in a 1-4-4-2, zambia have essentially lined up in a 4-3-3 to variation of 4-1-4-1 depending on the playing personel at a particular Moment.

Conversely, Senegal have opted for a more defensive minded yet agile 4-2-3-1 which allows them to have great Variety in the play.

Zambia’s build ups have been telegraphed Mostly with play starting from the wing back,who finds Musonda or sakala/Nyondo who target Patson Up front or Sakala/chilufya wide and hoping Mwepu Joins in to feed on the second ball.

Senegal have greater variety in their play and sometimes play it Long, Short and a bit of a mixed back.

Zambia have better fluidity though senegal have a rugged approach but effective thus far.

Both sides have had joy from the wings and certainly will try to use that route in search of victory on sunday but zambia look more certain to use it more than senegal owing to Senegal’s Huge numbers centrally.

FINER DETAILS-

Zambia Play the proactive way and take initiative,they are always on the offensive and want to use the ball effectively with a front foot approach.

Zambia have prssed well through out the tournamnt have have made the oppositions’s build Up Zone as their own Pressure zone.

They press very high and make the striker the first defender.

Additionally, the direct route approach helps them increase the number of chances created and with better finishing on D-Day may get joy from the same.

When Emmanuel Banda comes on,Zambia look like a good ball playing team and move well from Box to Box.

As soon as Mwepu andd Banda get on the ball, Zambia look the real deal and can terrorise any team.

The endurance seemed to have be n tested in the semi final especially after the 80th Minute

SENEGAL-

Play in a laid back,reative approach especially against teams that are technically superior. They are not very good with f ball and as such rely on quick circulation which aids their retention. They have a creative spark in Midfielder Krepin and Jean Ndecky provides good width in the wide areas. Alcoul Badji upfront provides a focal point and one who can work the channesl. Because of their failure to dominate possesion,they ussually dominate space where it matters Most and will let teams play in non dangerous areas but try to protect their Goal scoring area except when attacked at great speed and varied creativity,they opn Up and become susceptible to trouble on their goal Mouth.

They are business oriented and dont do the most attractive things on the pitch but focus purely on getting the business done.they are work Man oriented and will stick to thir approach.

They pose greater threat aerially and have ability to strike from Long range.

Most Impressive about them is their Endurance as evidenced in the game agsint Sudan.

In games that demand more both mentally and Physically,they are a good bet to place one’s final ngwee.
Both teams have earned their right to be part of the game everyone wants to Play, the Cup Final.

Here is a chance for a generation to pass but ner forgoten:

Fortune favors the brave,when all is said and done the best teams dont usssually win but the Most efficient teams always win.

The Key players are the goal keepers at either end as chances are many but the last layer of defense makes the difference.

With korea in the bag, It is time to conquer the continent before taking on the world.

The stage is set, Battle lines drawn and for one of the teams surely Immortality Beckons.

SENEGAL-

Play in a laid back,reative approach especially against teams that are technically superior. They are not very good with f ball and as such rely on quick circulation which aids their retention.

They have a creative spark in midfielder Krepin and Jean Ndecky provides good width in the wide areas.

Alcoul Badji upfront provides a focal point and one who can work the channesl. Because of their failure to dominate possesion,they ussually dominate space where it matters Most and will let teams play in non dangerous areas but try to protect their Goal scoring area except when attacked at great speed and varied creativity,they on up and become susceptible to trouble on their goal mouth.

Look out also for Ibrahima Niang if he shakes off an injury.

They are business oriented and dont do the most attractive things on the pitch but focus purely on getting the business done.they are work Man oriented and will stick to thir approach.

They pose greater threat aerially and have ability to strike from Long range.

Most Impressive about them is their Endurance as evidenced in the game agsint Sudan.

In games that demand more both mentally and Physically,they are a good bet to place one’s final ngwee.
Both teams have earned their right to be part of the game everyone wants to Play, the Cup Final.

Here is a chance for a generation to pass but ner forgoten:

Fortune favors the brave,when all is said and done the best teams dont usssually win but the Most efficient teams always win.

The Key players are the goal keepers at either end as chances are many but the last layer of defense makes the difference.

With korea in the bag, It is time to conquer the continent before taking on the world.

The stage is set, Battle lines drawn and for one of the teams surely Immortality Beckons.