Zambia U-23 National team has set their sights on winning Saturday’s TotalEnergies U23 AFCON, Morocco 2023 second round first leg qualifier.
The team left for Monrovia on Wednesday and they have set their sights on starting their two legged tie with a win.
Skipper Patrick Gondwe says the team has prepared well for the match and wants to start with a win.
“We have prepared adequately for Saturday’s game. The morale is high in camp, all we want is a win and come finish a job here at home,” he said.
“It won’t be an easy game but we just have to work hard as a team and the result will come.”
Head Coach Oswald Mutapa is aware of the struggle Zambia faces in West Africa but believes the players know what is at stake.
“The first game gives us a clear picture. A win is important for us, West Africa has not been an easy hunting ground but we all know what is at stake and what the destination is,” he said.
“We feel we have picked the right players from what we have. These are the players playing week in week out in the MTN Super League and the National Division One.”
Goalkeeper Jeban Tembo joined the Young Copper Bullets straight from the U-20 COSAFA Championship where he won the golden glove after keeping four clean sheets.
Mutapa is hoping the Red Arrows man can transfer his form to the U-23 National team.
“He did very well because he played all five games. We hope he transfers his form to the U-23.”
Meanwhile Tembo is happy to join Mutapa’s team and wants to continue with his good form.
“It feels great, It’s like moving from one opportunity to another. The expectations are high, everyone expects me to be at my level best like I did at U20 COSAFA.”
Zambia will host Sierra Leone on October 29 at National Heroes Stadium in the reverse fixture. Zambia will face Sierra Leone in Monrovia, Liberia on Saturday in the first leg.
The winner between Zambia and Sierra Leone will face the winner between Eswatini and Egypt.
The TotalEnergies U23 AFCON, Morocco 2023 is being used as a qualifier for the Paris 2023 Olympic Games.
Top three teams at the AFCON automatically qualify to the Olympics while the fourth team plays an inter-continental friendly.
