By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –
SOCCER fans have backed the Zambia Under-17 soccer team to bounce back to winning ways following a low start to the 2015 Africa Junior Championship in Niger.
The soccer fans have also urged Zambia’s envoys in the CAF Continental championships Zesco United and Power Dynamos to work hard to sail through to the next stage of their respective tournaments.
Chipolopolo Soccer Fans Association (CSFA) chairperson Yotam Mwanza said the Chris Kaunda coached team should look forward positively despite losing the opening match 1-0 to Guinea.
Mwanza said in an interview that such high-level competitions are never easy but that with the quality in the team, the next two games can turn tables in Zambia’s favour.
“For the under-17, I think lack of experience came to the fore in their first game. They can, however, redeem themselves in the last two games though it will be tough. In football, anything is possible, they
can even win the group,” Mwanza said.
Zambia Sports Fans Association (ZASPOFA) chairperson, Peter Makembo said winning the first game would have been best start for the team.
Makembo said going by the slender margin, it explains the quality of the side and that Zambia will need to work at winning the coming games to ensure qualification to the semi finals.
Meanwhile, Mwanza said Zesco and Power, who are taking part CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup respectively, had good chances of progressing to the next round as they will be playing at home.
Zesco held Mbabane Swallows of Swaziland to a 1-all draw while Power lost 1-0 away to Al Khartoum in Sudan ahead their respective return fixtures in two weeks time.
“It was a good outing for Zesco. It was a good performance. They just need to build on that at home and avoid lapses in defence.
“ For Power, it’s an uphill battle but a winnable one. Let them take advantage of home support and kill off the game. It should be total attack from the first whistle,” he said.
Makembo said Zesco and Power should make it through to the next round after favourable away results.
“We can see both sides qualifying to the next stage. I can assure them of massive support and hope the two sides agree not to play on same day. Otherwise the results are alright,” he said.