UNDER-17 national team captain, Alex Mwiinga, says Zambia will return the Council of Southern African Football Association (COSAFA) title.

And the under-20 national team is expected to leave for Burundi on Thursday ahead of the Niger 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final round return leg qualifier.

The Zambia under-17 will face Mozambique in the opening group D match on Thursday.
Other teams in group D are South Africa and Lesotho

Mwiinga said in an interview yesterday that Zambia is targeting winning the regional competition.

“We want to win the tournament. We don’t want to leave the cup behind, we have to go back with it. We are working as a team and we are ready for all the games. Our first target is to beat Mozambique on Thursday. All we want is to defend the title and we are ready for that,” he said.

Winners of the tournament will qualify to the 2019 Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Meanwhile, the team had its first training session at Grand Baie Football Ground yesterday.

Coach Tenant Chilumba and his technical bench took the lads through paces as they shape up for Thursday’s opening match against Mozambique.

Vice President Rix Mweemba is leading the delegation, underscoring the significance FAZ has attached to U-17.
The team spiced up the session with a song and dance routine that has become the trademark of junior teams.
Zambia are the defending champions of the U17 Cosafa Castle Cup after lifting it last year in Mauritius.
Zambia is lodged at the Casa Florida Hotel and Spa.