Under-17 On Qualification Verge

By ELIZABETH CHATUVELA
THE Zambia under-17 national team will tonight seek to finish off Botswana in the 2015 Niger Africa Junior Championship second round return leg at the University of Botswana Stadium in Gaborone.
Zambia, who are carrying a slender 1-0 lead, only need a scoreless draw to qualify for the final round.

Botswana, who accused Zambia of fielding overage players in the first leg at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka need an outright victory to upset the junior Chipolopolo.
With the junior Zebras set to avenge the 1-0 defeat suffered in Lusaka a fortnight ago, the junior Chipolopolo need to raise their game to stifle the hosts.
“We always play open games; we are going there looking for goals. We will attack from the onset and we are hopeful of getting a good result.
“The boys are ready. They know what to expect and they know what they have to achieve. There is an unwritten agreement between them and the technical bench and I am sure even the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) and the people of Zambia that we have to qualify for the Africa Cup for the first time and eventually the World Cup,” Zambia coach Kaunda said.
The junior Chipolopolo will, however, be without defender Wayne Museba and midfielder Edwin Chipili while skipper Patson Daka faces a late fitness test.
Museba and Chipili are injured.
Daka, who has travelled with the team could start on bench.
Zambia, who outplayed Botswana in the first leg this time must utilise their chances to keep alive their dreams of making a debut at the continental championship.
Despite failing to impress in the first leg, Botswana have a good team that could surprise Zambia.
Pumulo Siwanga and Enock Mwepu will lead the chase for goals. Mwepu netted the lone goal in the first leg victory.
Nchanga Rangers forward Daka might also be given a run at some point as the game progresses if he proves his fitness.
Goalkeeper Daniale Sikanyika will start in goal ahead of Jackson Kakunta and Derrick Sichangwe while Edward Chimfwembe, Saileti Lungu and Kingsley Musabula will be in defence.
But the Zambians should be wary of Botswana striker Jonathan Ditlhokwe and Thatayaone Ntagileng, who posed a threat in the first leg despite failing to find the back of the net.
The winner will face either Uganda or Rwanda in the final round.
Uganda thrashed Rwanda 4-0 in the first leg played in Kampala.
The match kicks off at 18:00 hours.

Posted by Admin on August 1, 2014. Filed under SPORTS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.