Young Chipolopolo game for Georgia

Speaking after the Junior Chipolopolo thumped City of Lusaka Under-20 team 5-1 in yesterday’s friendly at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka, Kawangu said his charges were ready for the task ahead.

Kawangu said the Under-16 technical bench had to make difficult decisions to come up with the 20-member squad from competitive young players who had turned up for assessment.

“The selection process has been smooth. We have 20 players so far and training has been going well. I can say the boys are ready for the task ahead,” Kawangu said.

“The last few days have been hectic because completion was at par from the players and being the technical staff, we had to make tough decisions to come up with the team.”

Kawangu said the youth tournament in Georgia would give the young boys the needed exposure to develop their talents. “What we want to see is that the boys go on to develop into great footballers in the near future,” he said.

On the 5-1 bashing of Young City yesterday, Kawangu said; “It was a great test for the boys. It is the kind of friendly we needed because it was physical and we are hundred percent sure that players in Europe are more physical so the game against City was a good test for us.” A brace from Emmanuel Mwanza and a goal apiece from Aaron Phiri, Gift Mumba, and Abraham Mumbi inspired Zambia’s win over City.

The Under-16 national team has been invited for a Four-Nation Under-16 tournament to be hosted by Georgia. Zambia will join Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in the tournament that is part of the UEFA Assist partnership with the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ).

The tournament will run from May 10-6 in Georgia.