(FAZ) The Zambia Under-20 Men’s National Team has intensified preparations for the TotalEnergies U20 Afcon Egypt 2023 qualifiers with coach Chisi Mbewe upbeat about his lads’ prospects.
Speaking after the morning training session at the Toyota Zambia Arena, Mbewe said the prime target for the under-20 at the Cosafa which will be used as a qualifier for the Africa Cup is to return to the premium competition after a five-year absence.
The 2022 Hollywoodbets Cosafa championship runs from October 6-16 in Eswatini with the top two teams earning qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations.
“So far so good, the preparations have been going so well, a lot of competition among the boys. We have 34 players and will reduce to 24 players before we announce the final list on Monday,” Mbewe said.
He said that their first match against Mauritius would set the tempo for the team’s aspirations at the tournament.
“Our first game will be against Mauritius, which is a very important game. it will not be an easy game we just need to prepare the boys and make sure that they are ready to maximize the first game,” Mbewe said.
“It is a huge task for us to qualify to the AFCON, the most important thing for is for now us to concentrate on the Cosafa and reach the final. We have set goals and targets as the technical staff we need to first reach the finals, then we need to compete to win the Cosafa.”
He added: “We win the Cosafa and qualify to the finals then we will be assured of the AFCON place. It is not going to be easy, but we need to prepare and make sure the boys are ready for eth competition. It has been a long time since the U20 participated in the AFCON.”
Mbewe said his lads were motivated by the sweep of Cosafa silverware the Chipolopolo, Copper Queens, and Green Buffaloes women.
Zambia is in Group A alongside Eswatini, Mauritius and Botswana.
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