By GODFREY DUBE –
DESPITE all odds, Zambia under-17 futsal team coach Brian Kunsanama believes his charges will pull off a win away tomorrow in the first leg of the Argentina Youth Olympic qualifier.
And Kunsanama has named his final 12-member squad which flies out today and declared the boys ready for the tie.
Speaking after yesterday’s morning training session, Kunsanama expressed confidence his players will beat Angola tomorrow and complete the task at home after a fortnight.
He said the morale in the team had remained high despite the short notice and various challenges faced.
“We are good to go. We have worked on the few lapses we noticed, the boys have what it takes to beat Angola away and I am confident we shall do the job well. We have put in our level best as a technical bench to prepare the team at short notice,” Kunsanama said.
Kunsanama said there was too much energy in the boys besides the team having a good balance which gives him the confidence of making the next stage of the qualifiers.
“The energy levels in the team are okay, we have a balanced squad despite it being new. Looking at how they are now, if they play a number of games together as a team, we shall have no problems in the future,” he said.
And Futsal committee vice-chairperson Mauro Sanna has urged the players not to underrate their opponents but rather work hard in order to qualify for Youth Olympics.
Sanna said despite the team being new, it had the character to deliver to the expectations of Zambians by qualifying for the Olympics.
“It’s the first time they will be playing Angola at under-17 level but the team has boys who have been playing in the youth league. This is also the first time each player will play at international level and I hope they don’t get stage freight,”Sanna said.
He said the game in Angola will help shape the team’s future in the qualifiers and give them the much needed exposure and experience.
“We are just wishing the team all the best, they are young but they should remember they are representing the country. Hope by the time they will be playing the return leg, the team will be stronger,” he said.
And the 12 making the trip are Stanley Sichangala, Omary Chimwanga, Bwalya Kabuswe, Kelvin Mulinde, Hendrix Ndaba, Solomon Kafwimbi, Jimmy Mukeya and Francis Mutalenge.
The rest are Richard Thole, Mathews Mashimiko, Elias Muyeni, Samson Kayela and Danny Musumali.