Zambia Faces Tough Conditions Ahead of U-17 AFCON Qualifier in Uganda
Zambia’s Under-17 team is preparing for the crucial second leg of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie against Uganda this Saturday in Kampala, despite facing challenging accommodation conditions.
The Zambian squad, which holds a 2-0 advantage from the first leg, was assigned a hotel in a Kampala suburb described as being in a deplorable state. The facility reportedly falls short of CAF standards, with issues including poor hygiene, lack of security, and inadequate room equipment.
Despite these setbacks, coach Chris Kaunda remains unfazed. Speaking to Zambian Football, he said: “We are ready. The boys will do the job by understanding the situation they are facing. We have not lost our focus, we know what we have to do and nothing will work against us.”
Kick-off is set for 3 p.m. local time as Zambia aims to secure qualification for the 2015 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place in Niger from February 15 to March 1. The tournament serves as a qualifier for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, with the four semifinalists earning spots in the global competition.
Despite the difficult preparations, Zambia’s determination remains strong as they look to complete the job on Ugandan soil and advance towards continental and world stage success.
