. Janza

By SANDRA MWILA –
CHIOPOLOPOLO coach Honour Janza says there is need to design good training programmes for the Under-17 and 20 sides ahead of their Africa Junior and Youth Championships respectively.
Janza said playing at such a tournament will require hard work and adequate preparations of the teams are to reach the finals and subsequently qualify for the FIFA World Cup finals.
The Zambia Under-20 been placed in Group B with South Africa, Ghana and Mali ahead of the Senegal 2015 Africa Youth Championship slated for March 8-22 while the Under-17 side will face Nigeria, Guinea and hosts Niger at the Africa Junior Championship to be held from February 15 to march 1.
Janza said in an interview yesterday that the Zambian teams have been placed in tough Groups and will need adequate preparations to conquer Africa.
“The junior teams have to work hard and prepare adequately for their championships because they all have been placed in tough Groups. I think there is need for the teams to play high profiled friendly matches to help prepare them for the tournament,” he said.
Janza predicted a tough competition during the Africa Junior and Youth Championships, saying there will be no underdogs as every team will be heading to the tournament with the aim of winning.
“None of these teams is going to their competition as underdogs, they are actually strong contenders to win the title and all that is needed is to prepare adequately,” Janza said.
He said the coaches in charge of the junior teams should not just rely on international friendly matches but also focus on training.
“Friendly matches are important but also the practical preparations during training are also very important to condition players. The teams will need to be supported by good training facilities and resources,” Janza said.