A first half goal from Francisco Mwepu helped the Zambia Under-20 to a 1-0 win over Malawi in a friendly match played on Saturday.
The Junior Chipolopolo were using the warm match ahead of this Friday’s Niger 2019 Under-20 CAF African Cup of Nations first leg tie against Rwanda in Kigali.
The team which is being drilled by Charles Bwale and Wedson Nyirenda started with a traditional 4-4-2 formation with Chongwe bred Thomas Zulu, now at Kafue Celtic in the holding role.
Nchanga Rangers’ Chaisa bred Martin Njobvu was paired by Kafue Celtic’s Francisco Mwepu, a capture from Chambishi in attack.
Off the bench, Bwale had Luanshya born and bred Albert Kagwanda and Sporting Lusaka product Paul Mwachisemu.
Zambia will now shift base to South Africa before flying to Kigali.
There’s pressure on the technical bench to deliver after a dismissal performance on home soil last year in the Cosafa Cup.
Bwale’s fledlings will be hoping to emulate the class of 2017 which won the CAF U20 AFCON in Lusaka.
Zambia XI:
Prince Bwalya, Benson Kolala, Justin Mwanza, Christopher Katongo, Kingsley Hakwiya, Thomas Zulu, Prince Mumba, Muma Mumba, Lameck Banda, Martin Njobvu, Francesco Mwepu
SUBSTITUTES
Flobby Mashakalati, Jonathan Kapelembe, Chanda Mukuka, Obino Chisala, Paul Mwachisema, Albert Kagwanda
You are the future and you have our blessings.