The assistant coach of the Junior Chipolopolo of Zambia, Albert Mphande has disclosed the importance of the warm up game against Nigeria's Flying Eagles ahead of the U-20 African Cup of Nations in Egypt, Nigeriasoccernet.com can report.
Zambia who are in Group C alongside Benin, Gambia, and Tunisia will play Nigeria in a preparatory game to test their readiness for the tournament in February.
Mphande agrees that the match with the Flying Eagles is what they need to be very ready for Africa's football showpiece.
It will give us some good position from where to start.
“I think in terms of readiness, physically we are about 75 percent, mentally we are almost there, and we are about 65 percent,” Mphande said.
He further spoke on the importance of the friendly stating that it is good for his boys as this will be the first time they will play a West African team.
“We are really in need of these friendly games, and for some of the boys, it will be their first time to play against West African teams,” he said.
Zambia will play Nigeria in a double-header friendly on the 3rd and 6th of February after the initial date of 27th and 30th January was put forward due to travel hitches.
Uche Dozie