TotalEnergies U-20 AFCON: Zambia aiming for second crown
Zambia will be looking for another opportunity to get their hands on a second title at the Egypt 2023 U-20 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations which kicks off on Sunday.
The Junior Chipolopolo qualified from the COSAFA region having won the U-20 COSAFA regional tournament with a 1-0 victory over defending champions Mozambique.
They come into this tournament with a reputation of grooming young talents for the future as they have produced players like Patson Daka, Enock Mwepu and Fashion Sakala who helped the Young Copper Bullets win the U-20 title as hosts in 2017.
The Junior Chipolopolo will be certainly an exciting team to watch at this year's tournament.
Zambian qualified after becoming champions of the Cosafa region following their 1-0 victory over Mozambique in the final.
History in the U-20 AFCON
Zambia previously participated in the 1999 edition when they earned qualification to the FIFA World Cup.
Their next two appearances at the U20 AFCON came in 2007 where they also managed to qualify to the World Cup in Canada.
In 2017 Zambia hosted and won the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Coach
Chisi Mbewe comes with bags of experience having led the Zambia U-20 to the 2022 COSAFA title. He is also credited for leading Red Arrows to the league title in the 2021/22 season.
He has been in charge for just over a year, having been promoted from the U-15 national team and most of the players in the squad from where most of the players passed through his hands.
Mbewe has been urging the team to aim to fight for World Cup qualification insisting they should not forget to enjoy the matches apart from seeking the title.
Players to watch
The goalkeeper Jeban Tembo was instrumental at the qualifying tournament where he conceded only one goal.
Kingston Mutandwa, who scored two goals and assisted in many at the Cosafa tournament is also another to watch.
Local Football
The local game is not at its strongest with the local league dropping in ranking on the continent. Instead of the usual four teams representing Zambia in CAF competitions they now only have two teams.
The junior teams are reviving hope with the U-17 and U-20 both qualifying to the AFCON. The biggest performing team in Zambia is the Women National Team that has qualified to the FIFA World Cup.
Match Schedule (Group C)
21 February: Benin – Zambia, 19h00 Local time, Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria
24 February: Zambia - The Gambia, 19h00 Local time, Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria
27 February: Tunisia - Zambia, 19h00 Local time (Cairo International Stadium, Cairo)