Saturday
Rwanda Vs Zambia
Zambia’s Under-20 football team arrived in Kigali Wednesday morning ahead of their first leg against their Rwandan counterparts in the second round of qualifiers for the 2019 U20 AFCON finals.
The Junior Chipolopolo and Vincent Mashami’s youngsters face off Saturday at Kigali stadium.
The 29-member Zambian delegation arrived in the country with 20 players and nine members of staff.
The defending champions will be staying at the Mirror Hotel and will be having their first training session this afternoon at Ferwafa artificial turf.
After the first-leg, Rwanda will head to Zambia for the return-leg slated for May 18.
The winners of this fixture will earn automatic qualification to the February 24-March 10, 2019 Total AFCON finals tournament in Niger.
Prior to flying to Kigali, Wedson Nyirenda’s side played two friendly matches; a goalless draw against Malawi last Friday and a 2-0 win over Swaziland on Monday.
Rwanda qualified for the second round after seeing off Harambee Stars of Kenya in the first round while Zambia did not play the first round matches since they are the defending champions.
At the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup staged in South Korea, Zambia were knocked out in the quarter-finals after losing 3-2 to Italy.
The Junior Chipolopolo had finished the preliminary stages of the competition topping Group C ahead of Portugal, Costa Rica and Iran, before eliminating Germany in the last 16 round 4-3.
Zambian delegation
Players: Prince Bwalya, Flobby Mashakalati, Benson Kolala, Jonathan Kapelembe, Kingsley Hakwiya, Christopher Katongo, Justin Mwanza, Obino Chisala, Muma Mumba, Prince Mumba, Thomas Zulu, Chanda Mukuka, Albert Kangwanda, Lifumpa Yande Mwandwe, Lameck Banda, James Chilimina, Paul Mwachisema, Martin Njobvu, Mwiya Malumo and Francisco Mwepu.
Staff: Lee Kawanu (head of delegation), Wedson Witson Nyirenda (coach), Charles Chisala Bwale (assistant coach), Kalililo Kakonje (goalkeepers coach), Mwansa Kapyanga (manager), James Nyimbili (team doctor), Austin Chuunga (physiotherapist), Davy Mungoli (kit manager) and security officer Henry Kalaba.