Zambia Under-20 coach Perry Mutapa says his side will target a third consecutive victory when they face Botswana in their final Group C match at the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations/COSAFA Qualifier in Maputo, Mozambique.
The Junior Chipolopolo Boys have made a strong start to the tournament, opening their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Malawi before beating Comoros 3-0 at ABB 2 Stadium on Monday.
Those results have put Zambia top of Group C with six points, three clear of Malawi, and Mutapa wants his side to maintain their winning momentum by completing the group stage with a perfect record.
“Going into the game against Botswana, we expect to get three out of three, so any game is not an easy game. So, we don’t have to be big-headed or over-confident,” Mutapa said.
“Our aim is to finish on top and obviously do well. Even defensively, we don’t have to concede. We want to score more goals and not to concede.”
Mutapa expects Botswana to provide another competitive test despite their difficult start to the tournament.
Botswana drew with Comoros before losing to Malawi and are yet to record a victory or score a goal, but Mutapa insists Zambia must concentrate on their own strengths rather than their opponents’ results.
“Botswana played a good game against Comoros. As we were analysing Comoros’ game, it was a tight game, the first game they played, because we had to analyse Comoros and Botswana. They drew, but it was a good game,” he said.
“Yesterday they lost to Malawi, but it is a good team, so we just have to focus on our strengths and work on our weaknesses.”
Captain Tumelo Mununga, who was named Player of the Match after scoring in the victory over Comoros, echoed his coach’s determination to maintain Zambia’s winning run.
“The game against Botswana, as a team, our expectation is to win, but of course it won’t be easy because Botswana hasn’t won any match,” Mununga said.
“They will come at us to seek victory, but us, we are focused on winning the match.”
Zambia have won all three of their previous COSAFA Under-20 Championship meetings with Botswana, recording victories of 5-0 in 2019, 1-0 in 2022 and 1-0 in 2025.
Another victory would give Zambia nine points from three matches and secure a perfect group-stage record as they continue their push for the title and qualification for the 2027 CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.
A semi-final place would set up a meeting with the winners of Group B, where South Africa currently lead with six points after victories over Lesotho and Angola.
The two finalists in the COSAFA qualifying tournament will earn places at the 2027 CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
