ALEX NJOVU, Lusaka
RED Arrows coach Honour Janza has urged under-20 national team players to be confident ahead of the FIFA South Korea World Cup kicking off on May 20.
“Respect the game but do not fear your opponents,” Janza said.
Arrows yesterday beat the junior Chipolopolo 3-1 in a training match at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka and Janza was impressed with the endurance of the under-20 players.
Arrows striker Lubinda Mundia netted a brace, Francis Simwanza scored the other goal while the under-20 replied through midfielder Emmanuel Banda.
“Their fitness levels are very good,” said Janza, who guided the junior Chipolopolo to the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Youth Championship title in 2009.
Addressing under-20 players after the match, Janza said they have the ability to perform to expectation at the tournament in South Korea.
He said the team has a lot of talented players who can rise to the occasion.
Zambia will do battle with Portugal, Iran and Costa Rica in Group C.
“We have very good players. I am confident they will perform well at the tournament,” he said.
Janza said the under-20 gave Arrows a good training session.
“There is nothing to fear. Go and enjoy yourselves, have character and zeal to perform. You must have the same belief you had when we won the COSAFA and the Africa Cup,” he said.
Zambia edged South Africa 2-1 to win the COSAFA title last December and overcame Senegal 2-0 on March 12 in Lusaka to lift the Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations trophy.
Meanwhile goalkeeper Mangani Banda and midfielder Enock Mwepu have joined the under-20 national team.
The team is expected to leave for Spain on Sunday for camping.