Zambia Under-17 Boys coach Dennis Makinka is under no illusion that Friday’s match against Honduras will be easy.
Following a 3-1 win over Indonesia at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, the junior Chipolopolo have a chance to book a place into the next round of the competition but face a Honduras hurdle.
Makinka told FAZ Media in an interview that the game will not be easy because Honduras are coming from a 7-0 loss against Brazil.
“It’s a difficult game, of course, you know, they are coming from a loss. A team that is coming from a loss is very dangerous because, you know when you lose, you realize the many mistakes that you make and correcting them is easy,” he said.
He said his side will have to plan well against the Hondurans.
“But again, if you plan well, it’s also easy because their morale is not very high and we are coming from a win. We have high morale and also we’ve prepared very well for this game. We’ve been psyching the boys.
“We’ve been having meetings, especially about the mental aspects, psychological issues. We’ve been talking about them so that we prepare the boys physically and mentally, especially, you know, coming from a win,” he said.
Zambia are second in Group H with three points, at par with Brazil who have a superior goal difference.
And midfielder Nthasilwe Malupande said the players are focused on Honduras.
“We have to take every game seriously; It will not be an easy game. We do not have to rely on the win that we won against Indonesia. It is water under the bridge,” he said.
He said the game is an opportunity for players to show the world what Zambia is capable of.
By FAZ Media
