Zambia Under-20 national team coach Perry Mutapa says the Junior Chipolopolo Boys are prepared for their much-anticipated TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations/COSAFA Qualifier semi-final against defending champions South Africa.
The two regional giants will face off in what promises to be a highly competitive encounter, with a place in the final and qualification for next year’s Youth Africa Cup of Nations at stake.
Mutapa said his technical bench had used the team’s preparation time to study South Africa and identify areas that Zambia can exploit when the two sides meet.
“The preps just went on well and we are prepared for the match against South Africa. A game with no second chance, so it is a game you prepare to win. So we have done everything possible to see the weaknesses of South Africa and use our strengths and we are geared for the match,” Mutapa said.
The coach also provided an update on the team’s injury situation, confirming that defender Bridger Ng’andu remains the only injury concern.
“On injury concerns, it’s just the same Bridger Ng’andu who has been out since the first game. Otherwise, everyone is available for selection,” he said.
Mutapa believes the depth of his squad could give the technical bench a selection dilemma after several players impressed in Zambia’s final Group C match against Botswana.
The Junior Chipolopolo recorded a 3-1 victory over Botswana to finish the group stage with a perfect record, having earlier beaten Malawi 2-0 and Comoros 3-0. Meanwhile, striker Abel Nyirongo says Zambia has no reason to fear the defending champions, insisting that South Africa’s previous achievements will have no bearing on the semi-final.
“There is nothing to be scared of. It is a game of football. South Africa winning the COSAFA and the AFCON is all in the past now and tomorrow presents another chapter and we are very ready. We are not scared of anything,” Nyirongo said.
Defender Somson Ngoma also believes Zambia have what it takes to overcome South Africa, pointing to the team’s impressive performance in Group C as a source of confidence.
“Even though South Africa is a good team, we respect it as a team, but together with my teammates and looking at the instructions the coach has taught us, I believe we can beat South Africa,” Ngoma said.
Zambia’s impressive run in the group stage has strengthened the team’s belief ahead of the semi-final, having scored eight goals in three matches while conceding just one. The Junior Chipolopolo will now have to reproduce that consistency against a South African side that comes into the contest as defending COSAFA champions.
Beyond a place in the final, the stakes are even higher, as a victory over South Africa will guarantee Zambia qualification for next year’s Youth Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to be hosted by Ghana.
