Thu, 23 Mar 2017 09:44:40 +0000
…U-20 African champs to polish up for junior World Cup glory
By Michael Miyoba
| THE Zambia Under-20 national soccer team yesterday left for South Korea to take part in the four-nation invitational tournament kicking off on Saturday which is a prelude to the junior World Cup championships in May this year. |
Speaking shortly before departure for South Korea, team head coach Beston Chambeshi said the four-nation tournament was crucial as it will enable him correct the mistakes and weaknesses observed during the junior Africa Cup of Nations tournament which Zambia hosted and won for the first time in its history.
Chambeshi noted that the team’s defence has been shaky despite having allowed only two goals at the junior AfCON.
“The four-nation tournament is good for our preparations as a team. We have a big tournament ahead of us and that is the World Cup to be played in South Korea. Therefore the tournament will give us an insight into the areas where we are lacking,” Chambeshi said.
“It is nice that the tournament is being played in South Korea, the same country where the World Cup will be hosted. The tournament will give us an opportunity to acclamatize with the environment in South Korea,” he added.
Chambeshi will be without four foreign-based players – Patson Daka of Liefering F.C in Austria, Mumba Mwape of Getafe in Spain, Fashion Sakala who recently joined Spartak Moscow of Russia and Conlyde Luchanga who has returned from Israel where his contract has not been renewed.
The four players have been replaced by Joseph Phiri of Red Arrows, Happy Nsofwa of Mufulira Police, Musonda Siame of Kafue Celtic and Stephen Chulu of Kabwe Warriors.
“The players are all important and we will give them an opportunity to prove themselves because our target is to build a team that can represent the country positively,” Chambeshi said.
“The four-nation tournament will also give us an opportunity to feel and be familiar with the stadia that will be used for the World Cup,” he added.
The tournament is from March 24 to March 31 and include hosts South Korea, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and the African champions Zambia.
