“THE DRAWS ARE FAIR” – IAN

The TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be contested in Algeria, will feature matches between Zambia’s arch-rivals South Africa, Nigeria, and Morocco. However, Zambia’s Under-17 Men’s National Squad coach Ian Bakala says his team has nothing to worry.

The COSAFA champions and South Africa will resume their rivalry months after winning both games against their neighbors in the Region V Games in Lilongwe, which served as the venue for the AFCON Zonal Qualification matches.

At the AFCON, which runs from April 29 to May 19, which serves as a qualifier for the U17 FIFA World Cup to be hosted in Peru later this year, the Junior Chipolopolo will also need to overcome competition from Nigeria and North Africans Morocco.

Below are the words of U17 Head Coach Ian Bakala:

“The draws are fair and looking at the group, only South Africa knows us well and even us we know (them), but the group is fair and we have confidence in our team and we are looking forward to sharpen up more,” Bakala said after the draws were held at the Cercle National de l’Armée in Algiers.

“We still need some replacements in the team but going to the tournament, we are going to prepare the team very well, we are going to look for two or three players that can be included in the team.”

“I am not under pressure because it will be a different ball game. Those games (AFCON qualifiers) are gone and we are going to prepare the team to challenge for the trophy and qualify to the World Cup.”