The Zambia U-20 national team will be looking to book their place in the final and subsequently qualify to the TotalEnergies U20 AFCON Egypt 2023 when they face off with Angola this afternoon.
The Young Bullets beat Mauritius 3-0, Eswatini 2-0, and Botswana 1-0 to top Group A and set up a meeting with the Young Palancas Negras.
Head Coach Chisi Mbewe says the game against Angola is the one holding the key for AFCON qualification and this is the right time to qualify for the continental showpiece.
“It’s a very important game for us, it’s the one holding our key to qualify for the AFCON in Egypt. We have to continue working hard and continue doing what we have been doing from day one. We need to utilize our chances and maintain our clean sheet record,” he said.
“This is the right time for us to qualify. We have been reminding the boys the goals we have set. If we want to buy our ticket to Egypt, we need to concentrate. We need to work as a team and stay focused. We came here not to participate but to compete, and so far so good.”
“We have been playing well organized teams. Each and every game is a different ball game, For us the most important thing now is to psych the boys that to qualify we need to score goals,” he added.
Skipper Dominic Kanda missed the final group game against Botswana due to suspension but he is now back much to the excitement of Chisi Mbewe.
“It’s a great motivation for the team to have Dominic Kanda back. We rested a number of players in the last game to have them fresh for the semi final clash,” Mbewe told the ZamFoot Crew.
Midfielder Charles Majapa Mumba says the team is ready for the game as they want to write their own history.
“It won’t be an easy game, but we are very much ready. It’s very important for me and the team to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. Now we are here to make our own history,” Mumba said.
Meanwhile winger Joseph Sabobo Banda says the experience he has gathered over the last two years will be handy against the free scoring Angola side.
“It’s a tougher game than the ones we have played. We are well prepared for the game. I have some experience which will come in handy in the game. Our main target is qualifying to AFCON,” Banda told the ZamFoot Crew.
Chisi is expected to make a number of changes to the team that beat Botswana on Tuesday.
Jeban Tembo is expected to maintain his place between the sticks with Amon Chulu, Lombe Mutale, Happy Nsiku and Gift Mphande making up the back four.
Dominic Kanda, Charles Majapa Mumba and Julius Kumwenda are expected to make up the midfield trio.
Upfront and on the wings Chisi Mbewe is spoilt for choice with Derrick Bulaya, Kingston Mutandwa, Rickson Ng’ambi, Chipyoka Songa, Joseph Sabobo Banda, and Emmanuel Mukosha all available for selection.
The Young Bullets and Angola will square off at 15:30 at the Somhlolo Stadium, Lobamba and the match is expected to be streamed live on COSAFA.tv, FIFA+ and SABC Sport.
The other semifinal clash will see South Africa take on Mozambique at 12:00 at the same venue.
