U-20 AFCON: Mphande reveals Zambia’s “readiness” to lock horns with the Flying Eagles

Zambia is in Group C alongside Benin, Gambia, and Tunisia, whereas Nigeria is in Group A with the hosts Egypt, Senegal, and Mozambique.

The assistant coach of the Junior Chipolopolo of Zambia, Albert Mphande, has revealed the readiness of the Zambian staff to face the Flying Eagles of their preparation match for the Below-20 Africa Cup of Nations event.

Soccernet.ng earlier reported that the Nigerian Flying Eagles would play two pleasant matches in opposition to their Zambian opponents in Abuja, Nigeria, as a part of the preparations for this yr’s U-20 AFCON.

The assistant coach has, nonetheless, revealed that Junior Chipolopolo is wanting ahead to their double header pleasant in opposition to Ladan Bosso’s boys.

The 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations will happen in Egypt subsequent month, and the 2 groups are among the many 12 nations competing.

The Junior Chipolopolo and the Flying Eagles will face off within the first pleasant on February 3, whereas the second pleasant shall be three days later.

Whereas talking with journalists, the assistant coach stated that the Chisi Mbewe-led squad wants the three worldwide pleasant matches scheduled by the nation’s soccer group.

“We’re actually in want of those pleasant video games, and for among the boys, it is going to be their first time to play in opposition to West African groups,” he stated.

Zambia’s nationwide under-20 soccer staff will play Nigeria in addition to Senegal, 2015, 2017, and 2019 runners-up. The assistant coach, however, stated that the pleasant matches would put them in a wonderful place for the competitors.

“It’ll give us some good place from the place to begin.

“I feel by way of readiness, bodily we’re about 75 p.c, mentally we’re nearly there, and we’re about 65 p.c,” Mphande stated.

Zambia final competed within the U20 AFCON on their dwelling floor in 2017, profitable the event and incomes a spot within the FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan.