Zambia U-17 Invited to Morocco for Four-Nations Tournament: Bakala on AFCON Preparations
In a significant boost to its youth development, the Zambia U-17 Men’s National Team has been invited to participate in a four-nation tournament in Morocco ahead of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025. The competition, scheduled from February 18 to 22 at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, will see the young Chipolopolo face off against the hosts, Morocco, along with Egypt and Senegal. This tournament is being viewed as an excellent opportunity for the side to gain high-level international experience and fine-tune their preparations for the continental stage.
A Pre-Tournament Test for AFCON
FAZ president Andrew Kamanga believes that this pre-AFCON tournament will serve as a crucial stepping stone for the U-17 team. “These matches will expose our players to a variety of styles and intensity levels that are essential for our development,” Kamanga remarked. The experience gained in such competitive settings is expected to be invaluable as Zambia has been drawn in Group A of the U-17 AFCON alongside Morocco, Tanzania, and Uganda. For a team on the rise, every match is an opportunity to test and improve their skills against quality opposition.
Coach Bakala’s Perspective
Head coach Ian Bakala, who has been at the forefront of developing Zambia’s youth talent, shared his thoughts on the draw and the upcoming challenges. “I think it’s a fair group, even though we have faced Morocco before in the last tournament in Algeria,” Bakala explained. He recalled the narrow 2-1 loss to Morocco, emphasizing that the repeated encounter is an opportunity for the team to learn and evolve. “We are going to use this as a preparation tool for the upcoming Africa Cup. It’s not just about playing matches; it’s about building our strength and fitness,” he added.
Bakala also hinted at a selective approach to the squad for the tournament. “We are not going to carry all the players who are going to the Africa Cup. Some will remain behind due to passport issues, and we plan to add a couple of players from abroad to strengthen our final AFCON squad,” he revealed. This strategy underscores his commitment to fielding a balanced team that can compete at both the international friendly level and the AFCON.
Focus on the Toughest Opponents
While Bakala is confident about the team’s progress, he pointed out that Morocco remains the strongest opponent in their AFCON group. “Morocco is undoubtedly the most formidable team in our group. We have to work extra hard when we face them,” he noted. However, he remains optimistic about their chances against Tanzania and Uganda, citing previous encounters where the Chipolopolo have shown promising performances.
A Strategic Path Forward
The decision to participate in this four-nation tournament is seen as a strategic move by the FAZ and the coaching staff. With the U-17 AFCON scheduled between March 30 and April 19, 2025, and with the top 10 teams qualifying for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, every match counts. The tournament in Morocco will not only serve as a critical preparation phase but will also help identify key players who can make the final cut for the AFCON squad.
Bakala’s emphasis on fitness and the tactical use of the tournament to gauge the team’s progress highlights a clear vision: to build a team capable of challenging on the continental stage and ultimately representing Zambia with pride on the world stage.
Conclusion
The invitation to Morocco represents a golden opportunity for Zambia’s U-17 side to elevate their game ahead of a crucial AFCON campaign. With coach Bakala’s thoughtful preparation and strategic squad management, the young Chipolopolo are poised to face a tough group featuring Morocco, Tanzania, and Uganda. The forthcoming tournament is set to provide the much-needed international exposure and competitive edge that will shape their journey to the 2025 AFCON and potentially secure a spot at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
