Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Zambia Under 20
Zambia youngsters resume their quest for a debut qualification when they visit Cote d’Ivoire. in a Senegal 2015 Caf under-23 Cup final round, first leg tie in Abidjan.
The meeting will be the two sides first since 2007 when they meet in the group phase of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games football tournament qualifiers.
Zambia beat Cote d’Ivoire 2-0 in Chingola but the latter secured qualification in their penultimate Group B match with a 4-1 home win in Abidjan.
“We are geared for a win, we are not scared of them, we are going there to win,” Zambia Under-23 goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata said.
The pressure is on Zambia in the Caf Under-23 Cup qualifiers to also redeem themselves after failing to qualify for the 2015 All-Africa games tournament to be hosted by Congo Brazzaville in September following their elimination from the race at the hands of Nigeria.
Coach Fighton Simukonda has summoned a fairly strong team to face Cote d’Ivoire Under-23 lead by the experienced Nsabata from Zanaco in goals, Zesco United defender Bernard Mapili and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Mukuka Mulenga.
Striker Ronald Kampamba of Egyptian club Wadi Degla and Power Dynamos midfielder Kelvin Mubanga, who both scored in Zambia’s 2-0 first round win over Botswana that saw them advance 2-1 on aggregate, are also in the team.
The two sides will meet in the final led decider on August 1 for a place at the second edition of the CAF Under-23 to be held from November 28 to December 12 in Senegal.
The top three finishers in Senegal will qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.