Thu, 23 Feb 2017 09:45:28 +0000
By GRACE CHAILE-LESOETSA
GUNIEA under-20 national team head coach Diallo Mandjou says the opening match against Zambia on Sunday will not be an easy challenge because the junior Chipolopolo have the home advantage.
Mandjou said his team has a 50/50 chance of reaching the semi-finals of the tournament.
The West Africans face hosts Zambia in Group A of the opening match at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka on Sunday.
Guniea arrived at the Kenneth Kaunda international Airport in Lusaka yesterday around midday.
Mandjou said in an interview that his team was ready for the tournament and will fight for the semi-final slot.
He said his side was expecting a tough game against Zambia because the COSAFA u-20 champions have the home advantage.
“The team is aware of the challenge that lies ahead and all the Group A opponents are strong sides. It will not be easy to overrun the hosts Zambia because they have 100 percent support,” he said.
He has an idea of Zambia’s kind of play because Anglophone teams have a similar tactical approach.
“I have watched Zesco United during the CAF Champions League competition, so I know how Zambia plays,” he said.
Austria based striker Patson Daka completed the Chipolopolo final team list when he joined the squad yesterday.
Daka who was received by team manger Daniel Jere at KKIA said he had no doubt the team will reach the semi-final.
“We have a difficult task but I believe we can handle it. The team’s target has always been to win the title. We will not underrate any team,” he said.
The top four teams will automatically book a place a place at the U-20 World Cup to host by South Korea this year.
Meanwhile, referee Janny Sikazwe is among the seven African referees picked to officiate at the 2018 Russia World Cup.
Sikazwe recently officiated the Club World Cup final between Spanish giants Real Madrid and Kashima of Japan and the 2017 Africa of Nations final between Cameroun and Egypt.
