By GWEN CHIPASULA –
FOOTBALL Association of Zambia (FAZ) has clinched a high-profile international friendly match for the junior Chipolopolo against South Africa’s Amajita ahead of the Africa under-20 championship that Zambia hosts next month.
This match, whose dates are not confirmed, is in addition to the team’s outing to Spain for preparations for the tournament.
Zambia is hoping to reach the last four at the continental youth tournament and subsequently qualify to the World Cup.
The initial date for the match was February 8 but since it is clashing with the junior Chipolopolo’s outing to Spain, the FAZ said yesterday they will move the South Africa game to a more suitable day.
The age game will be at Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa stadium.
FAZ vice-General Secretary Lombe Mbalashi confirmed this in an interview yesterday and that the association wants the under-20 team to have a real tough test against teams like South Africa once it is back from Spain.
He also announced that the under-20 will be in Spain for only two weeks and not the one month initially announced.
And the team which is drilled by Beston Chambeshi and Bilton Musonda is expected to travel to Spain tomorrow for intensive training.
“We all know South Africa and we believe they will give our team a real test. This will be good for the boys’ assessment especially after the Spain trip. The dates however are clashing with the team’s outing so we shall change dates,” he said.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s under-20 head coach, Thabo Senong has expressed happiness with the friendly match against Zambia.
According to information obtained from Soccer Laduma, South Africa has lined up a number of international matches and will play Zambia in one of them as they prepare for this competition which commences on February 16.
The two teams last played in the Council for Southern Africa (COSAFA) under-20 final where Zambia emerged victorious after beating South Africa 2-1.
“We intend to have a few international friendly matches before we begin the tournament, and we are glad to have secured our first international friendly against Zambia.
“We will be using this friendly to build on the momentum of the last year, but mainly to adapt to the climate of Ndola,” Senong said.
Zambia was drawn in Group A along with Guinea, Egypt and Mali while South Africa is in Group B with Senegal, Sudan and Cameroon.