Zambia face Ivory Coast in a must-win CAF U23 Cup qualifier

Zambia on Saturday face Ivory Coast in a must-win 2015 Caf Under-23 Cup qualifier at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.

Fighton Simukonda’s boys must beat the Ivorians in this return match of the final round to qualify for Senegal championship and remain in contention to make it to the 2016 Olympic Games.

The first leg on July 18 in Abidjan ended scoreless.

“We must make sure we beat them (Ivory Coast). We have an opportunity to go to the Olympics. Anything is possible but they won’t beat us,” Zambia midfielder Mulenga Mukuka said.

Ivory Coast assistant coach Souhano Haidara told journalists on arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport that his charges were in Zambia to win.

“The Zambian team is one of the best that we played and we know it is not going to be easy, but we came here to win,” Haidara said.
Winner this weekend will qualify for the 2015 tournament to be hosted by Senegal from be held from November 28 to December 12 in Senegal.

The top three finishers at the second edition of the Caf Under-23 Cup will qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Meanwhile, Simukonda on Friday morning unveiled his final 20-member squad to face the Young Elephants in Lusaka.
Below are the names of the 20 players available for selection.

Toaster Nsabata,Kenny Mumba,Benedict Chepeshi,Mweene Mumbi,Kapota Kayawe,Solomon Sakala,Bernard Mapili,Jackson Chirwa, Jacob Ngulube,Shadrick Malambo, Ronald Kampamba, Moses Phiri,Mukuka Mulenga, Charles Zulu,Kelvin Mubanga, Bruce Musakanya, Benson Sakala,Patson Daka, Sam Friday,Salulani Phiri.