Zambia face ‘Flames’ test

ZAMBIA’s quest to scoop the 2019 COSAFA Men’s U-17

championship comes under scrutiny this afternoon when the

young Chipolopolo face tournament’s host Malawi in a group A

game at Kamuzu Stadium.

The Junior Chipolopolo who are leading group A with six points will seek to maintain their unbeaten record after beating eSwatini and South Africa 6-0 and respectively.

With one foot into the semifinals of the regional

youth championship, Zambia only needs a draw against the Flames of Malawi who were shocked by eSwatini to progress to the next round of the competition.

Having scored 13 goals since the start of the tournament, Zambia will be cautious knowing that a 13-0 defeat to Malawi may eliminate them from the tournament if eSwatini beats South Africa in the other group A game. With both Malawi and eSwatini having three points each,

the qualifiers from the pool have not yet been decided with a final round of matches remaining.

Zambia look odds on to advance after another powerful display.

Malawi are seeking redemption after the defeat to eSwatini

and will rely on their fans to fill up Kamuzu Stadium to triumph

over Zambia.

Coach Osward Mutapa says he is not under pressure facing

the Flames in front of their fans and was determined to see their boys match on to the next round of the tournament.

“I don’t think we are under any pressure, we are already one step into the finals and we have a chance to even make

changes to the team for the entire team to have a chance to enjoy the game,” Mutapa said.

He said the technical bench is using the tournament in

Malawi to prepare for the 2021 AfCON to be held in Morocco. “For us, It’s not about this tournament, it’s about 2021 if you

look at the boys we have, four will be out next year and we will still have sixteen players because they were born between

2004 and 2005 so don’t say they have brought the same team next time because our ultimate goal is for the 2021 Under-17 AfCON,” he said.

The junior Chipolopolo are seeking their second COSAFA Cup after winning it back in 2017 under Numba Mumamba. 7-0 2-1

Simthandile Sishi of South Africa battles with Moses Mulenga of Zambia during the 2019 COSAFA U-17 Youth Championship match between South Africa and Zambia on 14 October 2019 at Mpira Stadium, Blantyre.