By SANDRA MWILA, ADRIAN MWANZA and YVONNE SAKALA –
MALI coach Ba Boye has predicted a tough game against Zambia in the second round of Under-20 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament Group A matches to be played tomorrow at the Heroes National Stadium.
Boye said in a post-match interview after watching his side held to a barren draw by Egypt at Heroes National Stadium that playing Zambia will be tough as both sides will be searching for a victory.
“It will be a tough game against Zambia and we need to put in our best. It was important that we carried a point, I am happy with how the boys performed. The boys are very skilful, they just had difficulties playing in rain and also getting used to the pitch,” he said.
Mali player Sekon Koita, who was voted man-of-the-match in the game against Egypt, said his side will beat Zambia tomorrow.
Koita said the team had learnt a number of lessons in their first game and will work hard in the remaining games.
“The turf was not good but the next game we are beating Zambia because Mali is here to lift the cup,” he said.
Egypt coach Amed Forouk said they will work on their mistakes noticed against Mali ahead of their next game and that he was happy with the performance of his lads.
“We wanted to win but it did not happen, so we shall work hard in our next game. Losing two points is not the end,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zambia Sports Fans Association (ZASOFA) strongman Peter Makembo heaped praise on the Zambian team for beating Guinea in the opening game.
Makembo said the attendance of President Edgar Lungu helped to raise the team’s spirit and hoped the players go into the game against Mali with the same spirit.
He added that he would be shifting base to Ndola to give support to the other teams that were taking part in the tournament and in Group B.
Patson Kalunga, a soccer fan, was happy with the win saying the team looked good and called on the technical bench to maintain the same team.
Another fan Stan Mumbi said Zambia has a team that can win the tournament as the players are tactically disciplined.
“We have a team that can win us the AFCON title, the players were tactically disciplined and I see them going far in the competition,” he said.
Chris Chishimba said his business of selling national team replica jerseys was booming following Zambia’s victory.
“My business is doing well because Zambia won. I pray that they keep winning so that my business continues booming,” he said.
Joe Mwape urged the team to play with determination against Mali on Wednesday and should put in a little more effort and make the nation proud.