The Zambia Under-20 Men’s National Team has settled in their environs in Manzini and will make the first step tomorrow (Friday) when they face Mauritius at Somhlolo National Stadium in Mbabane.
Coach Chisi and his charges have had 48 hours to familiarize themselves with the battleground and test their mettle against Mauritius in a lunchtime kick-off of the TotalEnergies U20 AFCON Egypt 2023 | COSAFA Qualifier.
Striker Derrick Bulaya says winning the opening game against Mauritius will give confidence to the lads for the subsequent games.
“It won’t be an easy game to play against Mauritius, we just need to be confident and be comfortable with the game tomorrow,” he said
“The mood in camp has been okay, we have been in good spirit, and we just need to keep the focus for us to win the first match tomorrow.”
He added “The fans should continue supporting us just like the way they always do, and we shall bring the cup home.”
Zambia starts her campaign tomorrow against Mauritius before engaging Eswatini two days later. Their final group A game will be against Botswana on October 11.
Only group winners will automatically qualify to the semifinals while one team will complete the semifinal line up as best runner-up across the three groups.
Top two teams at the tournament will qualify to the TotalEnergies Egypt 2023 AFCON.
Zambia last participated in the U20 AFCON in 2017 on home soil where they lifted the crown with the likes of Patson Daka, Fashion Sakala, Enock Mwepu, Emmanuel Banda, Edward Chilufya, Prosper Chiluya and Mangani Banda.