FAZ President Keith Mweemba says he is pleased with the progress being made by the Zambia Under 20 men’s national team ahead of the COSAFA Championship slated for Mozambique later this month.
Speaking after watching the Junior Chipolopolo training match against Aguila Stars at Woodlands Stadium on Saturday, Mweemba said the team was slowly moving in the right direction.
Mweemba said he was happy with what he had observed during the team’s training sessions and recent practice matches. The Junior Chipolopolo put up an encouraging display, beating Aguila Stars 2-0, with Allan Mumba and Jonathan Kalimina getting on the scoresheet.
“At least I have watched them in two training sessions, and I am happy with the progression that I am seeing,” said Mweemba.
He said the team’s preparations remained a work in progress and acknowledged that there was still room for improvement. The FAZ chief said the initial plan was to ensure that all national teams regularly go into camp, with teams expected to have weekly or fortnightly training camps as part of a new standard FAZ intends to establish.
He said such regular camps would give national teams more opportunities to build cohesion, improve tactical understanding and prepare adequately for competitions. “Obviously, we would have loved to assemble this team much earlier, but it is what it is at the moment,” he said.
The Zambia Under 20 team has intensified preparations ahead of this year’s COSAFA Under 20 Championship, which will be held in Mozambique commencing on September 18. The regional tournament serves as an important pathway towards qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations Under 20 finals.
