By SANDRA MWILA –

COACH Chris Kaunda has called three more players into the provisional Zambia Under-17 soccer team currently in camp preparing for the Niger 2015 Africa Junior Championship second round qualifier match against Botswana.
Kaunda said in an interview after yesterday’s morning training session at the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC) that he decided to beef up the squad with three more goalkeepers after the trio impressed during the Airtel Rising Stars countrywide trials.
The three goal minders are Mulenga Mulenga, Kelvin Sailli and Sipho Tembo, who join the 28 players that were called into the team that started training on Monday.
“I was impressed with the skills shown by the three goalkeepers and I thought it will be wise to call them to join the team but they will need to battle for places with other goalkeepers already in the squad,” Kaunda said.
Kaunda expressed happiness with the player’s response during training and was optimistic of beating Botswana when the two sides clash in a two-legged fixture to advance to the next round of the competition.
“We have new and old players on the pitch and they are getting to know each, our aim is to make a strong team that should qualify for the continental championship. I am happy that the old players and those we picked from the Airtel Rising Stars are blending well,” he said.
Captain Patson Daka, who was one of the 2013 ARS programme revelations, said the team will need to work hard to qualify for the finals to be held in Niger.
“We have some new players with us and we all have different tactics and skills to learn and teach one another. We need to work hard and beat Botswana then start dreaming of qualifying for the competition,” Daka said.