Zambia, Botswana square off

…Young Copper Queens begin Cosafa U-17 title defence in Malawi

THE Zambia Under-17 girls’ team will today open their title defence with a clash agaubst Botswana in their first game at the 2022 African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region V Games while the boys will open their account on Saturday against Mozambique at the games taking place in Lilongwe, Malawi.

For the women competition, Zambia is in Group B with Botswana and Comoros while Group A has Malawi, South Africa and Namibia.

Young Copper Queens striker Jessy Zulu said the team was determined to overcome Botswana as they aim to defend their title.

Speaking in an interview, Zulu, who features for Zambian champions Green Buffaloes team said; “Our expectations are very high because we don't want to hand over the trophy, we want to defend it so that we can come back home with it.”

“My target is to play for the country so that others can see my talent. And we are going to defend this title because we believe in wining gold and not bronze or silver,” she said.

Zulu is hopeful that her experience playing for Green Buffaloes who competed at the CAF Champions League will help her make positive contributions to the team in Malawi.

Meanwhile, following the withdrawal of Mauritius from the 2022 African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region V Games the format has been revised with Zambia boys team placed in Group B alongside Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa.

The Ian Bakala-tutored lads commence their tournament at 18:30 on Saturday 3 December with a game against Mozambique while Group A has hosts Malawi, Botswana, Namibia and Angola.

Zambia U-17 defender Aaron Phiri says the boys will not fear any team at the tournament as they seek to achieve their objectives of qualifying for the Africa Cup and wining the regional under-17 trophy.

Phiri said the past successes of the senior team, the women’s team and the Under 20 teams that won the regional titles this year would not put the boys and girls teams under pressure as they represent the country in Malawi.

And Zambia U17 Men's National Team Doctor Mutimba Mpabalwani has described the boy’s team fit and ready for the tournament in Malawi.

Speaking after the MRI Scan conducted on the players yesterday, Mpabalwani said the MRI scan has brought fair play as it has removed the aspect of age cheating.

The 2022 Region V Games is being used as a qualifier for the 2023 U17 Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Algeria. Top two teams will qualify to the continental showpiece.