Zambia U20 National Team head coach Boyd Mulwanda says his side need to beat their COSAFA rivals South Africa tomorrow by all cost so that they can qualify to the next round at the ongoing TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Young Chipolopolo can finish top of Group A with a win tomorrow against the Amajita of South Africa.
South Africa beat Zambia at the 2024 COSAFA U20 Championship and the Young Copper Bullets want to make amends and avenge their loss at the regional showpiece.
“It’s very crucial and very important for the team, we just have to be positive and get a positive result. We have told the Boys that this is a game we need to win at all costs for us to progress to the next round,” he said.
“Yeah it will be a different ball game altogether. We are meeting at AFCON, they beat us in COSAFA, we just also want to take that revenge and beat them. We lost 2-0 in Mozambique, we have to make amends and also carry the day.”
Zambia has been very poor in front of goal, missing chances and only managing a single goal in three games from the penalty spot.
Mulwanda however says the team is working on that as they want to convert their chances against South Africa.
“We are trying to come up with a session that helps the boys to be clinical at goal. All the chances that we will create we need to finish and get the goals that we need,” he said.
“I have told the boys to be patient, be calm and be composed, and convert the chances that we create. Pick a spot and put the ball there.”
“They know that it’s not an easy game, they were there in Mozambique and saw what happened so everyone is putting in their best so that we make amends and get a positive result tomorrow,” he added.
Mulwanda wants the team to pick ‘an important ‘ win against South which will guarantee them a place in the quarter finals.
“We can’t promise, but what we are saying is that we will do our best and give them the positive result they desire and the team to move to the next round,” he said.
“It will be very important for the team, because if we win we go to the quarter finals, and from there we can pick it up and see how best we can try and move forward with the team and qualify for the World Cup.”
“This is their show, whatever they do here is going to help them to market themselves. They need to put in their best so that they get that platform that is needed for them to market themselves, from here qualify to the World Cup, it will be more exposure, they will meet different challenges and different playing styles which will help them to improve their game and thinking of how the game is being played,” he added.
