U-20 can do it,  says Makembo

Fri, 13 Jan 2017 09:52:25 +0000

By Bennie Mundando

WE are looking for nothing else other than being crowned champions at this year’s Under 20 Africa youth tournament because we have the quality to conquer the continent, the Zambia Sports Fans Association (ZASPOFA) has said.

And ZASPOFA is recruiting new members of the brass band after procuring more equipment ahead of the tournament which starts next month and has been conducting rehearsals for the past three weeks at the Independence Stadium.

ZASPOFA patron Peter Makembo told the Daily Nation Sports yesterday that Zambia’s strength was underlined by the team’s exquisite performances at the just-ended COSAFA tournament which could earn the Junior Chipolopolo the coveted prize.

Makembo said it was up to the technical bench and the players to live up to the expectation of Zambians by replicating the COSAFA performances in this tournament, adding that with self-belief and discipline the boys could conquer Africa.

“We do not expect anything short of continental glory in this tournament. Going by the team’s performance in COSAFA, even its opponents in the group know that they are in for a tough encounter with Zambia who are regional champions and we will live up to that standard, especially that we are hosts. “It is up to the technical bench to fine-tune the team between now and the tournament. Players should be chosen based on performance just like what we saw at COSAFA and if there is still room to include a few other faces in the team, let it be done so that we prepare adequately,” Pastor Makembo said.

And Makembo said his association was recruiting new members of the brass band after procuring equipment ahead of the tournament and the band has been conducting rehearsals for the past three weeks.

He said ZASPOFA realised that fans’ support was paramount to this tournament and will ensure that the fans gave the support that the team needed for the players to perform at their best.

“They did us proud in South Africa and we want them to do it again for us in this tournament. In terms of support, they should not even worry because we have now beefed up our band to give them the best,” he said.

Zambia will host the African Youth Championship from February 26th to 12th March, 2017, in Lusaka and the Copperbelt.

The Junior Chipolopolo will face old foes Egypt in the group stage of the 2017 African Youth Championship while Mali and Guinea complete Group A.

Group B consists of 2015 hosts and runners-up Senegal, Cameroon, South Africa and Sudan.