Zambia U-20 Eyes Crucial Victory Against Egypt
Zambia’s Under-20 national team is gearing up for a pivotal clash against hosts Egypt in the TotalEnergies Egypt Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U20 tournament this Saturday at 20:00 Central Africa Time (CAT). The encounter is shaping up to be a crucial fixture for both sides, each with contrasting starts to their campaigns.
The Junior began their tournament journey with a hard-fought goalless draw, against Sierra Leone.
Meanwhile, Egypt will be eager to bounce back after a heavy 4-1 defeat in their second group stage match on Wednesday against the Shooting Stars, leaving them under pressure to secure a positive result on home soil.
Speaking to the media ahead of the highly anticipated match, Zambia’s Under-20 coach, Boyd Mulwanda, acknowledged the challenge his team faces against a wounded Egyptian side.
“When the team is coming from a loss, they’ll try and recover from that loss. So playing against that team, it’s not easy because they know that they’ve lost the game. So, they have to make amends and win the next match”.
However, the Zambian gaffer expressed confidence in his team’s readiness and fighting spirit. “But, looking at the way the boys have been preparing. I think everyone is ready, and they’re going to fight for the team,” he affirmed, highlighting the squad’s commitment to securing a positive outcome.
Coach Mulwanda also emphasized the motivational impact of their opening draw.
“The point will motivate the boys to go and fight and get a win. We need to win in this tournament. We have checked from the previous edition that we came here. We never won a game. But this one, at least, we have to tell the boys that we have to win a match in this competition,” he asserted.
The upcoming match against Egypt presents a significant opportunity for the Zambian youngsters to build momentum and solidify their position in the group. A victory against the host nation would not only provide a crucial three points but also inject immense confidence into the squad as they navigate the remainder of the tournament.
Football fans across Zambia will be keenly following the progress of their Under-20 team, hoping that Coach Mulwanda’s charges can deliver a memorable performance and secure a vital win against Egypt in this weekend’s AFCON showdown. The stage is set for an intriguing battle as Zambia aims to once again make their mark on the continental stage.
