Thu, 11 May 2017 10:37:30 +0000
By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA
I am not in a position to make promises to the nation, but as a player I will strive to do better than yesterday in South Korea, says Russia-based striker Fashion Sakala.
And the Junior Chipolopolo humbled Spanish side Tenerife 3-0 in a friendly match played yesterday at Ciudad Deprtiva CD Tenerife Javier Perez.
Speaking in an interview after he joined the Junior Chipolopolo team in Spain ahead of the Under-20 World Cup which starts on May 20 in South Korea, Sakala said winning the World Cup was not an impossible task.
He said he was working towards helping the team go far in the competition.
“I will not make promises to the nation, but as a player I will strive to do better than yesterday.
I have individual trainings to maintain fitness,. I believe God has already prepared something for us. It’s unfortunate that I could not join the team a month before the tournament but I know with the few days remaining, we will do something as a team,” he said.
He said unity and hard work were key to any team’s good performance at the tournament.
He said the inclusion of the new players to the final squad will add value to the team.
“This is a big tournament and all the teams are preparing to lift the title. But as a team, we have to believe that we can win the championship. We have beaten Tenerife, so it’s important to have a winning mentality.
‘‘Hard work and unity will help us do well in the competition. The addition of new players will have a positive impact on the team,” he said. The Under-20 displayed good football against Tenerife, breaking the deadlock in the 50th minute through an Enock Mwepu goal before Sakala doubled the advantage with a powerful header 11 minutes later.
Zambia continued to torment Tenerife with Conlyde Luchanga scoring the third goal in the 81st minute.
In the two team’s first meeting before the Under-20 Africa Cup, Zambia beat Tenerife 1-0.
Coach Beston Chambeshi was happy with the way the boys played against the Spanish side.
“The level of fitness is impressive. I am happy with how they played but we still have to work on getting accurate passes,” he said.
Zambia will open their first World Cup match against Portugal on May 21, before taking on Iran and Costa Rica on 24th and 27th respectively.
