By SANDRA MWILA –
ZAMBIA Under-17 soccer coach, Chris Kaunda has challenged his players to step up and prove their worth ahead of the 2015 Niger Africa Junior Championship slated for February.
Kaunda said in an interview at the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC) in Lusaka that his team needed to adequately prepare for the continental championship next year.
“We played well during the qualifier, which is now in the past, the team now has to prove their capabilities ahead of the tournament,” he said.
Kaunda said the players in the 24-member team that was currently in camp only had up to December 12 to prove they were good enough to be in the final team.
“This first camp is more like trials. The boys only have now till December to prove their capabilities because the camp in January will be final,” he said.
He said his team was not preparing to go to Niger for holiday but to give other competing African teams tough competition.
Kaunda said his team would not be intimidated by any countries at the tournament as they will all be competing for the Africa Junior Championship.
“We won’t be intimidated by any country at the tournament whether Ghana or Nigeria, we are not going to play the countries name but play football on the pitch,” he said.
The team includes newcomers Ngosa Sunzu,Teddy Mweetwa, Mostern Mwamba and Maybin Kalengo.
Also in the team are Danny Sikanyika, Edward Chifwembe, Mwila Mwansa, Shadreck Kambwili, Gift Sikaonga, Kenny Sinkala, Stephen Chulu, Garry Mwelwa, Jackson Kakunta, Prosper Chilufya and Musonda Siame.
Others are Edwin Chipile, Wayne Museba, Changwe Kalale, Kingsley Musabula, Enock Mwepu, Pumulo Siwanga, Victor Chungu and Salati Lungu.