The Zambia U-17 national team will this morning square off with Malawi for a place in the final of the COSAFA U-17 Championship at the ongoing Region V Games in Lesotho.
Zambia come into this game as the favorites having finished top of group A with two convincing wins while Malawi barely made the semis coming in as the second-placed team with only a point to their name.
Coach George Chilufya expects a tough match this morning given that Malawi has watched Zambia and how they play.
“Our journey continues so far so good. Malawi have watched us and have seen how we play so they will be a difficult opponent but we are ready for them,” he said.
“It’s a different game but we have to build on the positives from our previous games. We have a difficult situation for football but that’s how it is, We have psyched the boys to be ready for the games.”
Meanwhile goalkeeper Eric Musonda Makungu who was the best goalkeeper at last year’s COSAFA U-17 Championship believes he will again win the accolade.
“I think everyone is ready, Everyone is putting in their best and we will defeat Malawi. We have kept two clean sheets and the discipline at the back is giving me motivation,” Makungu told the ZamFoot Crew.
“We just have to win within 90 minutes. I’m doing my level best and am confident I will be best goalkeeper of the tournament once again.”
Skipper Joseph ‘Sabobo’ Banda will lead the charge for glory and he will be looking to add to his three goals he has already scored in the tournament.
Eric Musonda Makungu will again take up his place between the sticks with Sekanji Siame,Ricky Banda, Bwalya Anthony Mukuka and Mathews Banda making up the back four.
Kelvin Phiri, Emmanuel Mutale, and Parkie Nkhoma make up the midfield trio while Marcel Zimba and Mumba Mwale lead the line.
The winner between Zambia and Malawi will face the winner between Angola and Eswatini later in the day in the final of the tournament.
COSAFA U17 Youth Championship 2021
Zambia XI Vs Malawi
Eric Musonda Makungu 16, Sekanji Siame 2, Anthony Mukuka 3, Ricky Chanda 5, Emmanuel Mutale 7, Mumba Mwale 9, Joseph Sabobo Banda © 11, Parkie Nkhoma 12, Edward Kelvin Phiri 14, Mathews Banda 15, Marcel Zimba 17
SUBS
Terry Phiri 1, Lyson Banda 4, Aaron Phiri 6, Samson Malaya 8, Frank Chileshe 10, Mwale 13, Emmanuel Kateka 18
