Zambia U20 coach Chisi Mbewe says the COSAFA U20 champions are motivated for the 2023 AFCON U20 and described the tournament draws as very fair.
The 2022 COSAFA Cup champions are in Group C where they have been pitted against Tunisia, Benin and Gambia at the 2023 AFCON U20 Egypt will host from February 18 to March 11.
Zambia is one of two Southern zone representatives at the AFCON U20 together with Mozambique whom they beat 1-0 in the 2022 COSAFA U20 Cup final that was hosted by Eswatini in October.
“I would say being COSAFA U20 champions is just a motivation for us but we shouldn’t be carried away that we are the champions for the COSAFA region,” Mbewe said.
‘AFCON IS A DIFFERENT LEVEL
“The AFCON U20 is another level so we must ensure that we work extra hard and ensure that we plan well and go there to compete.”
Zambia will be based in Alexandria in what will be their return to the AFCON U20 for the first time since 2017 when they won it as hosts.
“It is a fair draw but the most important thing is we just need to be positive regardless of the team we are playing because football is evolving each and every year.
“They are no underdogs in football so the most important thing is the team must be ready and to achieve its goals.”
Meanwhile, Mozambique is in the group of death in Group A which will be based in Cairo.
Mozambique will face three-time runners-up Senegal, four-time winner and hosts Egypt including the record seven-time AFCON U20 champions Nigeria.
Group B who will play their preliminary matches in Ismailia has South Sudan, Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville and 2021 runners-up Uganda.
The semifinalists will all qualify for the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup that Indonesia will host from May 20 to June 11.
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