The Zambia U20 team is gearing up for their West African tour as they embark on a journey to face off against two powerhouse nations, Nigeria and Senegal. The team, led by Chisi Mbewe, will play two pre-tournament friendlies against Nigeria and one against Senegal next week, in preparation for the highly-anticipated 2023 U20 AFCON in Egypt.
Both Nigeria and Senegal are also set to participate in the 2023 U20 AFCON, making the friendly matches a true test of Zambia’s mettle. The team will kick off their tour against Nigeria in Abuja on January 27 and 30, before facing off against Senegal in Dakar on February 2.
Assistant Coach Albert Mphande states, “We were really in need of these friendly games and for some of the boys, it will be their first time to play against West African teams. It will give us some good position from where to start.”
The team is currently at 75% physical readiness and 65% mental readiness for the tournament, and the friendly games will serve as an opportunity to fine-tune their skills and strategies. Zambia qualified for the U20 AFCON after winning the 2022 COSAFA U20 Cup and will represent the Southern region at the tournament.
With just a month to go until the tournament, the pressure is on for the Zambia U20 team. The stakes are high, as the semifinalists in Egypt will all qualify for the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup in Indonesia. This is a chance for Zambia to make a name for themselves on the international stage and prove that they have what it takes to compete with the best of the best. With their sights set on victory, the Zambia U20 team is ready to take on the world.
