By MICHAEL MIYOBA
THE ZAMBIA under-23 national team will today seek redemption when they host north African giants Egypt in the second leg of the Morocco 2023 AFCON final round qualifier at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
After the disappointing 2-0 loss in Cairo on Wednesday, the junior Chipolopolo will fight hard for a win to redeem their hopes of qualifying for the AFCON.
Drilled by Osward Mutapa, the junior Chipolopolo will need to score three unanswered goals to qualify ahead of the Young Pharaohs.
Mutapa believes the team has what it takes to overturn the disappointing result in Egypt as they host the Young Pharaohs.
“In football nothing is impossible. They scored two goals, we can also score two or three. If you look at the first half we had an equal chance in Egypt. “We had two or three chances that we could have scored but we didn’t and that’s how football is. I feel the last ten minutes yes they scored the first goal but we could have defended better the second goal as well,” Mutapa said.
With Mathews Chabala and Wilson Chisala still a doubt for the return leg, Mutapa believes he still has enough players to fight for a comeback.
“We still have the players to play. Yes, Mathews and Chisala are suspended and we will miss them but definitely there are other players that will come in to play,” Mutapa said.
Mutapa may maintain Francis Mwansa in goal despite the goal keeper having conceded two goals in the away fixture. Happy Nsiku, Emmanuel Chembe, Gift Mphande and Mathews Chabala may start in the back four while Miguel Chaiwa is expected to lead the midfield with John Kosamu and captain Golden Mashata.
For the goals, Mutapa will rely on Muza striker Andrew Phiri, Power Dynamos speedy winger Joshua Mutale and Wilson Chisala.
On the substitute’s bench, Mutapa has Nkana’s striker Patrick Gondwe, young Jimmy Mukeya and last season’s top scorer Ricky Banda and Mannah Chiwisa.
Defeat today will end Zambia’s hopes of qualifying for the 2024 Olympic games as the 2023 AFCON will be used as qualifier for the Olympic Games.
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