Wed, 01 Mar 2017 08:46:18 +0000
By GRACE CHAILE-LESOETSA
ZAMBIA will this evening battle for qualification to the 2017 under-20 South Korea World Cup when they take on Mali at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
Hosts Zambia are commanding Group A with 3 points having won their opening game on Sunday against Guinea 1-0 as Egypt and Mali settled for a barren draw in their first match.
The junior Chipolopolo have three points, Egypt and Mali share a point each and Guinea has no point.
A 1-0 win over tough looking Mali will be enough for Zambia to secure semi-final berth and automatically qualify for the South Korea World Cup finals with a game in hand.
Zambia will kick-off their second Group A match at 18.00 hours with coach Beston Chambeshi confident of victory.
“This is a crucial match for Zambia and the boys are targeting a win. It will be a tough encounter as Mali has a strong side. Our primary goal is to secure a World Cup qualification and that is what the boys will be fighting for,” he said.
On the other side, Mali coach Ba Baye said his lads will not leave anything to chance when they face the hosts.
“This is a must win game. We came here to lift the title hence Zambia has to fall. But it won’t be easy to beat the hosts. The team worked on the mistakes noted in the last game against Egypt,” Baye said.
Chambeshi is expected to makes a few changes to the team by fuelling the midfield unlike in the previous game where he started with four strikers against two midfielders.
Striker Patson Daka and midfielder Patson Daka will make the starting line-up.
It is hoped the technical bench worked on the unstable Zambian defence which saw defenders making silly mistakes. In the other Group A match which kicks off at 15.00 hours at National Heroes Stadium, Egyptian coach Moatamed Gamal Abdelaziz said the team will be play for a win.
And Guinea coach Mandjou Diallo said the team has done their homework and were ready for Egypt.
Both team will be searching for victory to keep the hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the tournament alive.
Zambia’s squad has:
Goalkeepers. Mangani Banda, Samson Banda and James Phiri jnr
Defenders. Moses Nyondo, Prosper Chiluya Chiluya, Benson Chali , Solomon Sakala, Shemmy Mayembe, Edward Tembo.
Midfielders. Sydney Phiri , Chrispine Sakulanda, Harrison Chisala, Enock Mwepu, Kenneth Kalunga, Boyd Siame Musonda.
Strikers. Patson Daka, Edward Chilufya, Emmanuel Banda, Conlyde Luchanga, Fashion Sakala.
Mali full squad
Goalkeepers. Samuel Diarra, Drissa Kouyate, Modibo Traore.
Defenders.
Abdoul Dante, Siaka Bagayoko, Dramane Simpara, Mamadou Kone, Mamadou Fofana, Babou Fofana,
Midfielders. Ousmane Diakite, Moussa Diakite, Amadou Diarra, Mohamed Sangare, Amadou Haidara, Sekou Koita
Strikers. Zoumana Simpara, Ismaila Cheick Coulibaly, Moussa Djenepo, Boubacar Traore, Ibrahima Kone, Sidiki Maiga.
