Sat, 25 Feb 2017 11:48:50 +0000
ZAMBIA national team players say they are not intimidated to face West African teams in the 2017 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations which kicks off tomorrow.
Some players spoken to by Daily Nation Sports in Lusaka expressed confidence in delivering the prestigious Under-20 AfCON trophy.
Team captain Solomon Sakala said the team has prepared adequately for the tournament and was ready to face any team during the tournament.
Sakala noted that the technical bench led by head coach Beston Chambeshi has done its best to ensure that the boys triumph at the tournament.
“We are ready for the tournament and we are not scared of any team,” Sakala said.
“We have prepared adequately thanks to our coaches who have always been there for us from the day we started our preparations for the tournament. We believe in ourselves as a team and we are confident of delivering great results,” he added.
And former ZANACO striker Fashion Sakala, who has just signed a three-year deal with Spartak Moscow of Russia, said the Under-20 boys were focused on qualifying for the South Korea Under-20 World Cup.
Sakala said that North and East African countries have proven to be challenging to beat but noted that this Under-20 soccer team was determined to triumph at the tournament.
“North and East African teams have always been very difficult to beat but our generation is determined to break that jinx. We are not afraid of any team and we will deliver according to people’s expectations.
“We are not under any pressure. We will play our game and our aims is to win the tournament. Personally my target is to contribute positively by scoring a lot of goals at the tournament,” Sakala said. Meanwhile, Israel-based striker Conlyde Luchanga has assured Zambian soccer fans of success at the tournament.
Luchanga noted that the tournament would be competitive but that the Junior Chipolopolo were determined to produce good results at the tournament.
“We will work hard for our country. It is going to be a tough tournament but we will work extra hard to achieve our target which is to winning the AfCON,” Luchanga said. The Junior Chipolopolo kick off their campaign with a clash against Guinea in the opening ceremonial game at the National Heroes’ Stadium tomorrow.
