Gerald Phiri optimistic
With the Cosafa Under-20 Championship scheduled to kick off on Wednesday, some fans are wary of hosts, Zambia, who are in the same group with Malawi under-20 national football team.
But the Junior Flames’ Head Coach, Gerald Phiri Senior, thinks otherwise.
“Yes, we did not do well last year in South Africa but this is a different year. We have different players. The players have shown that they are capable of doing well and we hope for nothing short of the championship. Finishing in the semi-finals and quarter-finals would be a consolation for us, but our target is to bring the cup home,” Phiri said.
On Saturday, the under-20 beat Be Forward Wanderers 4-1, before holding Nyasa Big Bullets to a one-all draw on Thursday at Chiwembe Stadium.
Meanwhile, Bullets coach, Rodgers Yasin, has advised the Junior Flames to be more aggressive on the ball.
“They are able to run with the ball forward, but they lose concentration easily and wait for their opponents to find them forward. Otherwise, they have a fighting spirit which can benefit them at the competition,” Yasin said.
The Junior Flames will kick-start their Group A assignment with Swaziland before facing hosts, Zambia. The group also has Uganda.
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