ZAMBIA U20 SEEK AFCON WIN OVER EGYPT

ZAMBIA U20 SEEK AFCON WIN OVER EGYPT

… Egypt will fall in front of their fans declare midfielders Pasco Phiri, Philemon Chilimina and Frank Chileshe

By Cecilia Nayame

ZAMBIA Under-20 national team players are confident of beating hosts Egypt in their second Group A match at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ismailia this Saturday.

Speaking in separate interviews yesterday, midfielders Pasco Phiri, Philemon Chilimina and Frank Chileshe have expressed confidence that Egypt would fall in front of their fans.

Phiri said despite the pressure of facing the hosts, the team was looking forward to recording positive results.

He said the time the team was spending in training would not go to waste.

“Preparation is going on well. Everyone is pushing…it’s my prayer that whatever we are learning while in training will be applied in the match against Egypt,” Phiri said.

He urged fellow players to remain focused.

“As a team, our campaign has always been to keep a positive mind and by doing so, it will help us create more chances. It’s also important to remain united and ensure that everyone is part of the game,” Phiri said.

He said the team would focus on creating opportunities for the strikers to score goals.

“We need to put more effort in front because what we need now is goals. Our finishing was poor in a match against Sierra Leone,” he said.

Chili mina said the team was more than ready to face Egypt.

He said the team had no option but to beat Egypt.

“There is nothing to fear against Egypt despite them being the host nation. Our job on Saturday is to go on the pitch, fulfil our fixture and win the game,” he said.

Chilimina said the coaches had done their part and what remained was for the team to complete the job on the pitch.

“We need to apply every tactic as we face Egypt. It’s good that there is team work amongst ourselves and if we continue with the same spirit they [Egypt] are done,” he said.

Chileshe was 100 percent sure that the team would win the game on Saturday.

“Pressure is always there but we have no option especially in the Saturday game. I believe in the team as well the team spirit, if we continue then we will achieve our goals,” he said.

Egypt lead Group A with three points two better than Sierra Leone and Zambia while Tanzania and South Africa are winless.

Egypt beat South Africa 1-0 while Sierra Leone and Zambia settled for goalless draw, Tanzania is yet to play a game.