By Saheed Afolabi
The Zambian U20 side are scheduled to play a two legs friendly game against the Nigeria U20 side in preparation for the U20 AFCON.
The junior Chipolopolo are optimistic of getting positive results when they begin their West Africa tour.
The Zambian U20 assistant coach, Albert Mphande described the friendly games as very important to the team as he admitted it will be the first time they are playing against West Africa sides.
“We are really in need of these friendly games and for some of the boys, it will be their first time to play against West African teams,” he said.
“It will give us some good position from where to start.
“I think in terms of readiness, physically we are about 75 per cent, mentally we are almost there and we are about 65 per cent.”
Mphande added that the purpose of the friendly games is to let the players abreast of the task ahead.
“As you know, this is not COSAFA, this is AFCON U20 we need to psych them to that high level.”
The Zambian team will be playing a double header friendly against the Flying Eagles at the Moshood Abiola stadium, Abuja on the third and sixth of February respectively.
The Flying Eagles also are not leaving any stone unturned as they crushed Deluxe FC 6-0 in a recent friendly game at FIFA goal project, Abuja.
The U20 AFCON is scheduled to start on the 19th of February 2023 with host Egypt and Mozambique signalling the start of the tournament with the opening game.
