Young Chipolopolo Defend COSAFA Title

Zambia Men’s Under-17 National Team are preparing to defend the COSAFA Championship title ahead of their match against the Comoros Islands at 15:30 today. 

The Group B match will take place at Gelvandale Stadium in Port Elizabeth. Also in Group B are Malawi and Botswana, who will meet kick-off 12:30 hours at the same venue. 

Speaking ahead of the match coach George Chilufya stated the importance of getting off to a good start. “The first game is always important in the tournament; we are not taking Comoros as a lightweight. We will give them the respect that they deserve, and will always take this game very serious,” Chilufya stated. 

The stakes are high as the finalists of this year’s tournament will secure a place in the Africa Under-17 Cup of Nations.

“We expect hard work all the time because football is about proving every day. It’s always an honour to play for the nation and we have always emphasised this and I am sure they (the boys) will put a smile on the 18 million Zambians and their families,” Chilufya said. 

According to the coach the young Chipolopolo had to quickly adapt to chilly weather conditions in South Africa. 

“The boys did adjust to weather conditions; they are used except maybe for the coldness. Thank God the Association has done everything possible to make sure that we have the right uniform, so far so good, everyone looks sharp and ready for the tournament,” he said. 

Following Friday’s match the team will play Malawi on Sunday, before concluding their Group B matches with a fixture against Botswana on 25 November. 

Meanwhile, the Under-20 Men’s coach Perry Mutapa says he is happy with the way his boys are shaping up for the 2020 Cosafa championship. The tournament kicks-off on December 3 in Port Elizabeth. 

The 2020 tournament will serve as a qualifier for the African Under-20 Cup of Nations which is due to be held in Mauritania next year. Defending champions Zambia are in Group B along with Malawi, Namibia and Comoros Islands.