Young Copper Bullets eye Mauritius scalp in tournament opener
The Zambia U-20 national team will today start their quest for qualification for the TotalEnergies AFCON U20 Egypt 2023.
The 2022 COSAFA U-20 Championship doubles up as a zonal qualifier and Chisi Mbewe’s boys will start their campaign with a relatively easy fixture against Mauritius.
Mbewe says his team knows why they are in Eswatini and has revealed that the Young Bullets are aiming for a win in their first game.
“So far so good, the preparations have gone on well. The players are in good shape, they are looking forward to the game against Mauritius. We know why we are here, we know it won’t be an easy tournament, every team has prepared to do well but for us we have done our homework well. In the game against Mauritius we need to pick the maximum points. We need to fight and underrate any team,” Mbewe said.
“Nowadays in football there are no underdogs, every team is improving so far we have to respect each team, be focused and be able to compete.”
“A win in the first game is very important. It will give us the driving force and motivation going into the game against the hosts , Eswatini.
“Our word to the players from the first day has always been to qualify for the AFCON and COSAFA is the key,” he added.
Meanwhile Striker Derrick Bulaya has set his sights on the golden boot as he looks to help his team lift the trophy they last won in 2019.
“The mood is good in camp, the team is in good spirits. We just have to be focused to win the first game. It’s important for us to win the first game to gauge ourselves,” Bulaya said.
“It won’t be an easy tournament but I have to work hard and to come out as a top goalscorer.”
Jeban Tembo of Red Arrows and Levison Banda of ZESCO United will battle it out for a place between the sticks.
Amon Chulu, Mathews Banda, Onesimus Chipango and Happy Nsiku are expected to make up the back four but they face stiff competition from Gift Mphande and Lombe Mutale.
In Midfield skipper Dominic Kanda is expected to be joined by Joseph Sabobo Banda, Chipyoka Songa, Charles Majapa Mumba and Julius Kumwenda with Rickson Ng’ambi and Derrick Bulaya likely to lead the attack.
Mbewe also has options in Kingston Mutandwa, Lasmond Phiri, Emmanuel Mukosha, Moses Mulenga and Kelvin Mwamba.
The Young Copper Bullets and Mauritius will lock horns at the Somhlolo Stadium at 12:00hrs and the match will be streamed via COSAFA.TV, SABC Sport, Eswatini TV and FIFA+
If you are a DSTV subscriber, you can also follow the action via DSTV Now.
Zambia will face hosts Eswatini on Sunday before wrapping up their group affair at Mavuso stadium against Botswana on 11 October.
The tournament is being used as a qualifier for the TotalEnergies AFCON U-20 Egypt 2023.
The 2022 COSAFA U-20 Championship will run from October 7th to October 16th in Eswatini.