Zambia U17 National team head coach Dennis Makinka is excited with the Junior Chipolopolo Boys’ last 32 draw at the ongoing FIFA U17 World Cup against West African side Mali.
Makinka says it’s going to be a good game between two African sides with similar abilities. The former Nkwazi head coach believes for his team to be the best they have to beat the best.
Makinka has reiterated the need for his team to take this match seriously given that they have now entered the knock out stages.
“I think this is the moment that we’ve been waiting for. An interesting draw against our African brothers. I think it’s going to be a good game knowing how Mali plays, they are a very physical team as well. Very entertaining. We expect a good game. And we are looking forward to this. To be the best, you have to play the best. For us, this is a good draw,” he said.
“As we have always said, we take each game as it comes, so this is a different game, the Brazil game was different, this is another game, so we treat it differently, seriously, and you know knowing that these are knockout stages there’s nothing like we draw or what, one team has to win, so we need to prepare well and just work hard to get the win,” he added.
Zambia has been paired with Mali in the Round of 32 at the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025.
Zambia qualified as Group H runners-up, finishing the group stage unbeaten with seven points from three matches , victories over Indonesia (3-1) and Honduras (5-2), followed by a spirited 1-1 draw with Brazil.
Mali, meanwhile, finished second in Group L recording wins over New Zealand (3-0) and Saudi Arabia (2-0), and suffering a 3-0 loss to Austria in their second match.
