Zambia have been drawn against two-time World champions Portugal at the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup in South Korea.
Asian representatives Iran and Central American side Costa Rica complete Group C who will be based in Jeju for the tournament that Korea will host from May 20 to June 11.
Zambia will face Portugal in both sides opening Group C match on May 21.
Portugal are the tournament’s second most successful team after fellow 2017 finalists Argentina who have six titles.
Beston Chambeshi’s side will clash with Iran in their penultimate group game on May 24.
Zambia will close their preliminary stage fixture against Costa Rica at Cheonan on May 27.
This will be Zambia’s debut meeting against any of its Group C opponents in Young Chipolopolo’s third U20 World Cup appearance.
Zambia exited at the group stage of the 1999 tournament in Nigeria and reached the last 16 in 2007 in Canada.
Meanwhile, the top two finishers from Group C will qualify to the last 16 that will kickoff on May 30 where they are also fourth berths for the best third sides in the 24-team tournament.
Mpaka final!!!!!! #CupIbwele
@ZED – I like this one, ati “Cup Ibwele”.
We started with the slogan “Cup Isale” and truly Cup Inasala; Now we will close with the slogan “Cup Ibwele”.
And truly Cup Izabwela.
bring them on
I like that..
Cup isale….oops..cup ibwele..lol…Portugal….is a big Team…..Zambia is a very big team
Drawing Portugal against Zambia should have the Portuguese quaking in their boots. Cup ibwele! lol
Faz should look at age of some of our boys (men). It will be very painful to be disqualified on such an issue. For africa cup its normal to play with all u23 as u20 but the stage has changed now. Senegal should also not go with their over aged witches just as south Africa has Malepe and 2 others who are aver aged.
My genuine observation.
I agree with you.
Fashion Sakala mentioned that he will not be eligible to play at the world cup due to his age. That makes work easier for FAZ.
Fashion Sakala is a good player but I did not like the way he was failing to beat the off-side trap successively in all the games. I think he would top the list of Off-sides created at the just ended AFCON U20.
After the many Off-sides he incurred in the first game I expected the Coach to do his part; but to no avail – Fashion continued costing Zambia goals on account of Off-sides.
This is good for the Young Chipolopolo…with God’s blessings, they will lead the group. They have nothing to fear in this group.
I know Zambia will make it to finals. Let’s go boys. you can do it. 2017 is our year.
@Shooterz good observation,we cant have under 20s who have been married for 3 years its not normal.
Maybe they got married at 17years depending on where you were brought up. In villages you can find married boys at 16years
Everything seems for abnormal for UPND cadres. One wonders who really is abnormal. My answer is , UPND and its leaders!!!!! How else do you describe a party that so opposite to what majority Zambians believe in. That is why UPND under HH will NEVER rule Zambia. NEVER. PERIOD!!!!
People can marry at 16 years in Zambia… what are you talking about… Marrying is not an issue… were are talking about age here…
Haters! Zambians fye. What age? Those boys are younger than you are and that’s what pains you. Because they’ve become famous at a tender age, it’s a problem for the haters. All the very best boys.
I am related to one player in our U20 Team.He is 27
umm ba Phiri
We can still make it
@Phiri you are a sick fuc.k
This is a very tough group. We need to prepare thoroughly. Portugal and Iran are very good teams
Our players may suffer from fatigue if we don’t rest them well.They will compete in three tournaments within a short period.
Paka litente
The group is fair…….chipolopolo all the way.
There is no underdog there for them to qualify it means they are strong so do not underrate any team some of them football in their countries a source of income. To our beloved boys work hard and good luck make us proud again. Cup Ibwele.