U23 soccer team heightens preps
Written by Millennium on August 8, 2019
Mukwima Chilala writes
THE Zambia Under-23 national soccer team have intensified preparations for the September 4 Egypt 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final round qualifier against Congo Brazzaville.
Coach Beston Chambeshi said he was happy that the players plying their trade in foreign leagues were also enjoying good form.
Chambeshi observed that former under 20 stars, Patson Daka, Fashion Sakala, Lameck Banda, Enock Mwepu and Kings Kangwa, had started their new seasons in Europe on a good note and hoped that they will add value to the country’s quest to qualify to the Olympics.
“We have been monitoring the foreign based players, we are happy with the way they are playing. So far if you look at the two boys, Lameck Banda and Kingsley Kangwa, we received a good report and they are playing well,” he said.
Chambeshi said the locals were working hard ahead of the two-legged encounters against Congo Brazzaville.
“So far so good, we are happy with the way the boys have come in although we are missing players from Zesco, Buildcon and Power Dynamos,” he said.
Players from Zesco United and Buildcon have continental engagements while Zanaco had availed Mangani Banda and Kebson Kamanga.
Chambeshi has drafted into the team Edwin Chipile (MUZA), Lewis Maimba (Nkwazi), Francesco Mwepu (Kafue Celtic) and Crispin Sakulanda (Red Arrows).
Zambia will host Congo Brazzaville at National Heroes Stadium on September 4 before closing the tie in Pointe Noire, Congo Brazaville four days later.
Winner over two legs will qualify to the Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Egypt in November.
Top three teams at the eight nation tournament will qualify to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
