Zambia U-17 boys face Malawi in Cosafa semifinal tie

ZAMBIA under-17 national boys’ coach George Chilufya says his charges are game for today’s Cosafa Under-17 semifinal tie against perennial rivals Malawi.

Chilufya who guided the Junior Chipolopolo to wins against Lesotho and eSwatini is anticipating a tough game against Malawi.

“I’m sure Malawi are going to be a very difficult opponent having watched us and saw how we play but we are ready for them.

“When you are playing a new team, you have new tactics but we have to build on the positives from our last games and having scored in each game gives us the needed confidence,” Chilufya said.

Chilufya will pray that his top striker Joseph Sabobo Banda will be in good shape to send Zambia to the finals after he scored three goals in the last two games for the Junior Chipolopolo.

And FAZ president Andrew Kananga says progress by the u-17 boys and girls at the ongoing AU Games in Maseru, Lesotho symbolises a brighter future for the Zambian game.

Kamanga is confident of better days ahead after the under-17 girls progressed to the finals while the under-17 boys are in the semifinals.

Kamanga said the junior teams’ great performances at the Region Five games is a result of the consistent grassroots programme being implemented in all the provinces.

“With decentralisation taking effect, it will be easier to capture all the promising talents in our country. It will not be long before we launch another group of promising talents like Patson Daka, Fashion Sakala, Enock Mwepu, Edward Chilufya, Emmauel Banda, Kings Kangwa among others who are blazing the trail on the global stage,” Kamanga said.

He urged the two junior teams to make the country proud by winning the championship in Maseru.

Meanwhile, Kamanga is hopeful that the under-20 national women’s team will beat Ghana in the 2022 Costa Rica World Cup qualifier after a goalless draw in the first leg played on Saturday at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.

Kamanga also congratulated Zanaco for qualifying to the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.