As coach of the Zambia Under-17 Men’s National Team, Ian Bakala is ready to lead his team to victory at the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Algeria.
Despite facing tough competition from South Africa, Nigeria, and Morocco, Bakala is not intimidated. In fact, his team recently defeated South Africa in the Region V Games in Lilongwe, giving them added confidence heading into the AFCON.
Bakala acknowledges that some changes may need to be made to the team, but he remains steadfast in their preparation and belief in their ability to win the trophy and qualify for the U-17 FIFA World Cup in Peru.
Despite being in the so-called “group of death,” Bakala is not under pressure and sees the AFCON as a chance to show the world what his team is capable of. The semi-finalists in Algeria will earn a spot in the FIFA World Cup in Peru.
