African Champions Zambia will play Italy in the quarter finals of the on-going 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup on Monday.
Italy eliminated the European Champions France via a 2 – 1 scoreline in an all European round of 16 tie.
Italy overcame the pre-tournament favorites who came into the game as clear favorites having won all of their three group matches without conceding a goal.
But France were stunned by a 27th minute goal from Orsolini before they pulled one back from the spot.
Panico sealed the win for Italy in the 57th minute.
This was Italy’s second win at the tournament after they were beaten by Uruguay, beat South Africa and drew with Japan.
Zambia has already overcome two European opponents on their path to the last eight having beaten Portugal 2 – 1 in the opening match before booting out Germany 4 – 3 in the round of 16 tie.
In other games played today, Senegal were eliminated by Mexico leaving Zambia as the sole flag career for Africa.
USA humiliated New Zealand with a screaming 6 – 0 scoreline.
Zambia, Italy, USA, Venezuela, Portugal, Uruguay, England and Mexico are in the last 8 of the tournament.
Playing France would have been like playing another African team with all the player’s they’ve poached. Italy is similar to the Germans. Zambia needs to address the leaky defense.
I know these boys will reach the finals all they need is proper polishing as I do not see Italy posing a greater threat if the Boys go into the game as Warriors.
We can beat italy if we sort out our defence we italy we wont score many goals like we did with germany and italy so please coach teach boyd musonda to concentrate on defensive duties then looking to score goal of the tournment
That boy Boyd Musonda was the weakest point. He doesn’t even know how to shoot the ball. Just look at Shemmy Mayembe; Just one shoot at goal, boommmmm, proved to be the winner in yesterday’s game.
I totally agree with u.
Cup ibwele
Now we have the platform to not only showcase to Africa but the world as a whole that we are amongst the best 8 countries on the planet. That’s a big big big archievement that many only dream off. We are in great company now to showcase the football we have and better still the talent in Zambia. These boys don’t have stage fright which is a big credit to them. These kids are driven by passion and desire coz if you look at all the teams we have played with the exception of Iran, the have great leagues with world class facilities etc. but our humble and indeed level headed boys have just soldiered on. I am not in Zambia so haven’t heard much about incentives but this is the time for the government to rally behind these boys and put forth an incentive to beat Italy. Asking them to win the World Cup may just except too much pressure hence my thinking of incentive per game and yes I do believe we can win this World Cup. The belief and talent on show is just mind blowing. And better still for Zambia one has to remember that teams grow in. Incidence as the tournament progresses and Zambia is no exception. Good luck boys and make us proud.
Truth!
100 percent concentration needed for this one boys!
The problem we have is the midfield particularly defensive midfield. Boyd Musonda is always out of sorts moving forward trying to score as though he is a striker. All the shots he attempted at goal in the game against Germany were horrific. He needs to drop in defense to assist the leaky Zambian defense. If we sort out the defense, all shall be well for the Chipolopolo U20 on Monday against the young Azzurri..
The passion of the Zambia U20 is unbelievable. I felt very touched to see Fashion Sakala crying after being substituted. That shows you the boy feels he has forsaken his colleagues, by not performing to his ultimatum. To me he did and has done wonders throughout.
Keep the spirit bane, and God bless.
The 1988 repeat 4-1 !!!!
How about if all those shots were on target, would we be saying he is out of position.
Well, Yes he was. But perhaps we would be saying “the midfield needs to be more organized. looking out for each other. when one goes, the other remain to keep balance.
But if truth be told, its these “going forward enmase which help us to score. so many options.
Cup ibwele… lets go boys. Lets do this.
Boyd (player of the tournament COSAFA) pick a spot (or just memorize where the goal is before the pass comes) then keep your eyes on the ball as you take the shot. With Italy the whole team needs to be focused, they are experts at the ball control with those switching passes that can turn defence into attack very quickly. ‘Ukwaali insoke takwafwile muntu’. ‘Fore warned fore armed.’ I think above all we are on a mission. We depend on each other. We are the football machine. We believe in God.
I preferred facing Italy than France. I think we have a chance! Go boys! “I believe we can do it! Talking is another thing, doing is another! It is our time,” winning Coach of 2012 African Cup!
Big mistake. Italy doesn’t defend erroneously like France and are sharp in front of goal beware of what you wish for.
Please dress in green!
France would have been a threat to zambia than italy.As it is, we have a chance.GO ZAMBIA GO. “cup ibwele”
dead or alive this cup must come in zambia, kukwatafye umutima wakuwina
Our boys must repeat the Snr Team’s 1988 exploits against the then much fancied Italy. Viva our Z boys and Shalom.
Ts jx favour wu make itjx tek it as if u ar playing ur finals boyz.
Boyd Was playing well but the problem is his shooting on goal actually he was man of the match
we are moving from zero to hero, keep on boys the grace of God is with u.ebwela cup
zambia is a good side.We’ll carry the day.
Ts jx favour all wu be well jx be organised boyz & tek it as if u are pkayung ur finals
I hope zambia can be the second african country to win the u20s world cup after Ghana black stars made history for the continent by winning the cup in 2009
And the team manager (coach) when you see that its 90+ time. Try to make changes in that way helps when leading. Pliz
The coach should put steel in the middle of the pack by introducing Sunzu to play alongside Boyd Musonda. With this strong base a 2 holding midfield formula ITALY MUST FALL! We can sacrifice one Singer. Go Zambia Go!
*One winger
this game is ours,like it or not cup i
bwela
Definitely meeting Italy is better than playing France. Our coaching bench should analyse the Italian team very well. I know the Europeans are experts at that particularly the Italians and that is exactly what they did with the French team. they are very good at controlling the temple of the game, and good at feigning injuries and going down in dangerous areas so our boys should be talked to very well. by now they know our strengths and weaknesses and by the time the game is played on Monday we must do the same.
Meant to say ‘tempo of the game’ and not ‘temple of the game’.
Lets go zambia, we have to be forcused 100% n own your position guys, every1 is assigned to their special so do your best in the pitch n play with all yr heart #Fashion_Sakala i like your team spirit keep it up #love you guys.
Holding midfielder (is another error we have, specifically Musonda shud improve and start help defenders since he has proven to us that scoring goals is the biggest problem.
Go Zambia Go This is our season And I know cup niyathu Wining is our portion.
Let us support our Guys with a position thought.viva zambia
France would have been a thorn in the flash because we almost play the same style of soccer.Italy is easier than German
go Zambia go
I think the coach and his technical bench should work on the defence. The defence is somehow leaky. This match should be taken so serious by both the boys and the technical bench. I should encourage the boys to play lungs out up to the final whistle.
We will make it.over the years,scoring has been our problem in zambian football.so now we are there,our boys have what it takes to lift the trophy.remember,we are representing the whole continent.GO ZAMBIA GO!
I don’t have many words to say but let me say Bola na Lesa
I don’t have many words to say but let me say Bola na Lesa
plz coach, the team should put on the green jersey napapata.
midfieder-M usonda improve next game & ba coach delay afer the game is in injury tme.
Can’t wait to see cup in our country and to perdite on game Zambia vs Italy, 2-1.
go zambia go nake hestory
B0la na Lesa.Come what may,Italy will fall and a shock to the whites.