Mutapa delighted with semis qualification

Zambia Under-17 coach Oswald Mutapa says reaching the Cosafa Under-17 Cup semifinals is a massive boost ahead of his teams’ 2017 Caf Under-17 Cup qualifier engagements in August.

The defending Cosafa Under-17 Cup champions downed Malawi 3-0 in their penultimate Group B match on Sunday to advance to the semifinals with a game to spare at the ongoing tournament in Mauritius.

“It feels great to win a second game and I am happy with the result,” Mutapa said.

“It is very motivating for the team because we now know how to handle the qualifiers.

“We are trying by all means to see how every player will perform because all this is preparations for the crucial Africa Cup qualifiers.”

Mutapa indicated that he will rest some players for the July 29 semifinals in their final Group B match on Tuesday against 2017 CAF Under-17 Cup hosts Madagascar.

Zambia top Group B on maximum six points from two games heading into the July 26 formality date with Madagascar who are out of the tournament after losing both their opening matches.

Malawi and Kenya are second and third respectively tied on three points from two matches heading into Tuesday’s battle for the second semifinal place decider from Group B.

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