The Zambia Under-20 National Team has left for Eswatini where they will participate in the TotalEnergies AFCON U20 Egypt 2023 qualifying tournament.
The team left for Eswatini from the Kenneth Kaunda international Airport aboard a South African Airways flight at 13:30 hours.
FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala who saw off the team reminded the team of the importance of the tournament.
Kashala urged the players to take the opportunity to market themselves and follow in the footsteps of players like Lameck Banda.
“Am happy you all know what we are doing and where we are going. It’s not a small tournament you’re going for, it’s being used to qualify for the Africa Cup of nations. We men have been challenged by the Women’s national team so we need to pick a lead from what they have done in the past to take us to the next level,” he said.
“You should also use this opportunity to showcase your talent. A number of players like Lameck Banda started from there and he is now playing in Europe. We need total commitment, apply yourselves fully and most importantly remain disciplined. We have always dominated at such tournaments so we hope we will be one of the teams that will qualify to the AFCON.”
Head Coach Chisi Mbewe says he is happy with the preparations because the team has so much competition. He has also revealed that he wants his team to follow in the footsteps of the senior team, the Women’s national team and Green Buffaloes who have all won their respective COSAFA assignments.
“So far so good, the team has prepared so well. There has been a lot of competition, we had a headache to pick a team that will travel to Eswatini today,” he said.
“We are not going to participate but compete. It won’t be easy but we must stay focused. Our goal is to qualify for the 2023 AFCON in Egypt. Am happy with the preparations.”
“The senior national team, the Women’s national team and Green Buffaloes Women’s Football Club have set a benchmark, so we have set the goal as a team and we have been reminding the boys to emulate what the senior team and the Women’s national team have done,” he added.
Skipper Dominic Kanda says the team is ready for the challenge and that the morale is high in camp.
“The morale in camp is high, we are all ready for the challenge, We are not going to participate but to compete. We just need to work together. We just want support from the fans,we will deliver,” Kanda said.
Zambia will open its account on October 7 against Mauritius before facing the hosts Eswatini two days later.
The final group game will be on October 11 against Botswana.
The 2022 COSAFA U-20 tournament will run from October 7th to October 16th.
