Zambia tough opponent

Thu, 16 Feb 2017 11:01:41 +0000

… Guinea U-20 national team coach Peter Gunemba

says Zambia will be a tough opponent to beat in Group A 

By GRACE CHAILE-LESOETSA

ZAMBIA will be a tough opponent to beat in Group A of the u-20 Africa of Nations tournament as the junior Chipolopolo has skilled and fast footed players, says Guinea under-20 national team coach Peter Gunemba.

Gunemba who has already announced his 21-man final squad said Guinea will implore a cautious approach against Zambia when they two clash in the opening match of the tournament on February 26, at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

According to Guineenews.org website, the Guinean trainer said his team was ready for the difficult task and was aiming at reaching semi-final stage.

“The team has been preparing well for the tournament and focused to achieve the semi-final target. But the team needs to work hard because they will face tough opponents in the group stage.

“Zambia is a strong side and has quality players. They have the home ground advantage and fast footed players,” he said.

Gunemba said his side should not be ruled out of winning the tournament especially that they were being considered underdogs.

And Zambia u-20 coach Beston Chambeshi says the junior Chipolopolo are aiming to win all the group stage matches.

“Our target is to win all group stage matches. We don’t want a mathematics way of reaching the semi-finals. Winning the first two games will work to our advantage,” he said.

Chambeshi said striker Fashion Sakala will be available for the tournament although he was signing with Spartak Moscow of Russia.

Group A has hosts Zambia, Egypt , Mali and Guinea.

Meanwhile, Zanaco is today scheduled to leave for Kigali ahead of Saturday’s CAF Champions League preliminary round return leg match against Armée Patriotique Rwandaise (APR) of Rwanda.

Zanaco faces a tough contest after APR forced a barren draw at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka last Saturday.

The full is as follows;-

Goalkeepers-Racha Kola, Mangani Banda and Toaster Nsabata.

Defenders-Ziyo Tembo, Peter Banda, George Chilufya, Lee Ngoma, Andrew Kwiliko and Taonga Bwembeya.

Midfielders- Saith Sakala, Charles Zulu, Ernest Mbewe, Richard Kasonde, Boyd Musonda, and Augustine Mulenga.

Strikers-Kennedy Musonda, Attram Kwame and Fashion Sakala.