By CHILA NAMAIKO –
VICE-President Inonge Wina has urged the Zambia under-20 team to keep their heads down and win tomorrow’s finals of the CAF under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) against Senegal at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
Speaking in Parliament, Wina said the under-20 Afcon trophy would be a perfect gift for the country and has assured the team of Government’s support.
She reminded the team that expectations from the fans were high and that they should fight hard to live up to the billing.
The vice-president, who described the team as gallant, urged the players to focus on the game and reassured them of the fans `support the on the day.
“Mr Speaker, we look forward to the team continuing to work hard and bring more glory to our nation,” she said.
Wina hailed the performance of the team so far in the tournament and challenged the aim for a win in the final so they raise the country’s football profile.
She said it was also impressive that the team had players from drawn from various parts of the country saying this had amplified the motto ‘One Zambia-One Nation’ owing to many local tribes coming together to form a vibrant national team.
Wina said this during the vice-president’s question time in Parliament yesterday.
She was responding to Patriotic Front (PF) Msanzala Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Daka, who wanted to know what it meant for the nation that the under-20 team was made of players drawn from across the 10 provinces.
Daka also wanted to know Government’s position on performance of the team.
Wina said the team had taught the nation that unity of purpose was significant for the country to achieve more desirable results.
Meanwhile, Daka has challenged the FAZ to continue collaborating with other stakeholder from schools to rural clubs to help in identifying talent which should be harnessed.
Daka said in a separate interview that his constituency, despite being in a rural area, had clubs with potential players who can make it into the national team.