Zambia Under-23 National Team have just taken off for Saturday’s TotalEnergies U23 AFCON, Morocco 2023 encounter against Sierra Leone.
Coach Oswald Mutapa, yesterday, named his final 18-member squad that includes Trident Football Club goalkeeper Francis Mwansa and Red Arrows goalkeeper Jeban Tembo who recorded a clean sheet in three games of the TotalEnergies U20 AFCON 2023 Egypt, COSAFA Qualifier in which he was awarded the Golden Glove.
Having no CAF certified stadium to host international matches in Sierra Leone, the game will insteaed be played in neighbouring Liberia.
A week later, Zambia will host Sierra Leone on October 29 at National Heroes Stadium in the reverse fixture.
Speaking in an interview earlier, U23 Captain Patrick Gondwe said while the encounter against Sierra Leone will not be easy, the Zambian squad has adequately prepared for the game.
U23 National Team Head Coach Oswald Mutapa revealed the team consists of players that play in the MTN Super League and Division 1 a mix he believes gives the visitors a chance to emerge victorious.
The TotalEnergies U23 AFCON, Morocco 2023 is being used as a qualifier for the Paris 2023 Olympic Games.
The top three teams at the AFCON automatically qualify to the Olympics while the fourth team plays an inter-continental friendly.