Story by Musyani Chishimba
Young NAPSA STARS coach Fabian Ngoliya says he is delighted and confident with the 21 member squad selected for the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
Speaking in an interview with the Lusaka Star, Ngoliya said Beston Chambeshi who is the U-20 team coach had identified key players needed to go all the way to the finals.
“Goalkeeper Mangani Banda, is one of the best in Zambia. He is disciplined, young and hardworking, his attributes are the reason he has been picked as the first choice goalkeeper among other players in the squad,” he said.
Ngoliya added that there was a possibility of Managani becoming the first choice goalkeeper for the Zambia National soccer team in the near future. He however noted that the players’ height was a huge disadvantage.
The Young NAPSA STARS Coach has urged Lusaka based soccer fans to fill up the National Heroes Stadium in order to drum up support for the junior Chipolopolo boys.
“We want Heroes Stadium to be filled with Junior Chipolopolo fans drumming up support for the boys. This will help the boys remain steadfast in the tournament,” Ngoliya said.
Despite the coach leaving out players from the squad namely defender Boyd Mkandawire, midfielder Linos Makwaza junior plus striker’s Happy Nsofwa and Joseph Phiri, soccer fans are confident in the team.
Newly introduced players to the squad, include Emmanuel Banda a striker who plays for Portuguese club Esmoris ,Conlyde Luchanga from Israih side Hapoel Ra’anana, goalkeeper Prosper Chilufya, Spain based middle fielder Mumbai Mwape from Getafe B.
The under 20 Zambian couch has named the final 21 member team to represent hosts’ Zambia in the 2017 under 20- Africa cup of names.