The Zambia U20 Men’s National Team has left for Mozambique for this year’s COSAFA U20 Championship that kicks off on Thursday in Maputo.
Coach Boyd Mulwanda and his troops left Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka aboard Mozambique Airways at 16h00.
The team will not only be hoping to defend the regional title but also secure a spot in the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as the tournament serves as a qualifier for the significant competition.
Zambia will face Angola and Namibia in Group B, with their first game set for September 27 against the Palanquinhas of Angola, a team they triumphed over in the semi-finals of the previous competition.
Mulwanda expressed confidence in his squad, saying that the team had prepared well for the tournament and was ready to take on the challenge of defending their title in Maputo.
“We are the defending champions and we just gave to go there (in Mozambique) and defend the trophy. The boys are ready for the challenge, everyone is putting in his best, and they have shown that they want to defend this trophy,” Mulwanda said.
“We have told the boys that the first game is the most important. The first result will determine how far the boys will go. We have told the boys that we have to go all out and get maximum points from the game.”
U20 captain Happy Nsiku said the players are motivated to maintain their dominance in the regional tournament where they are 12-time champions.
“Fans just have to believe in us, everything is under control, we are going there to defend the title, everything will be in place. We want to remain defending champions and we want to bring the trophy back home.” Nsiku said.
The top team in each group will qualify to the semi-finals along with the best-placed runner-up from across the three groups. The tournament runs until 5 October 2024.
FINAL SQUAD; GOALKEEPERS; Levison Banda (ZESCO United), Eric Makungu (Shamuel Academy).
DEFENDERS; Happy Nsiku (Red Arrows), Mathews Banda (Nkana FC), Fostine Mwenya (Aero Strikers), Samuel Ngulube (Kafue Celtic), Sekanji Siame (Power Dynamos), Aaron Mbemba Phiri (Kafue Celtic), Emmanuel Lungu (Green Eagles).
MIDFIELDERS; David Simukonda (ZESCO United), Perkins Mumba Mwale (Green Buffaloes), Benson Kapeshi (Atletico Lusaka), Tryson Banda (Kabwe Warriors), Obvious Mwaliteta Jr (Cubs United FC), Aaron Simpasa (Power Dynamos).
STRIKERS; Pascal Phiri (ZESCO United), Patrick Simwinga (Red Arrows), Henry Mbuti (River Plate), Emmanuel Mwanza (NAPSA Stars), Eliya Mwandanji (Kafue Celtic).