By SANDRA MWILA –

THE Zambia Under-23 soccer team is optimistic of qualifying to the Rio De Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games despite being handed a tough draw at the Senegal 2016 African Under-23 Championship.
Fighton Simukonda’s men are determined to take Zambia to the Olympics for the first time since 1988.
Zambia will square up in Group of the African competition in Group A against hosts, Senegal, Tunisia and regional rivals South Africa.
Vice-captain Salulani Phiri said the group would not be easy because the teams drawn against Zambia were tough.
Phiri said the squad just needed to apply themselves fully to get past the group stage and reach the semi-finals.
“It’s a tricky group we have been placed in. The teams we are facing are tough but we have to apply ourselves well,” Phiri said.
He said the team’s target was to qualify to the 2016 Rio Olympics and would work hard to collect maximum points in the group stage.
“We have the ability to get past the group stage. What is important is to keep our goal of qualifying to the Olympics,” the Zanaco midfielder said.
Armenia-based midfielder Lubambo Musonda described the group as tricky and warned against underrating any team.
Lubambo said Zambia had a strong side which had potential to go past the group stage and compete for a place at the Olympics.
“The group is tricky and we should not underrate any team that we are going to face, it won’t be easy but we have potential,” Lubambo said.
Simukonda has since summoned a 25-member squad for a weekly camp to kick off preparations for the Senegal Championship kicking off on November 28.
Simukonda has returned faith in the local squad that earned qualification for the Senegal Championship.
The 25-member squad led by captain Toaster Nsabata is expected to regroup in Lusaka on September 20.
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) communication manager Nkweto Tembwe, who released the team list, said the training camp would be running from Sunday to Thursday.
“The training camp has been called to start preparations for the Senegal Under-23 championship. It is going to last until Thursday after which players will return to their clubs. We expect two or three of such week-long training camps before the boys go into full residential camp,” Tembwe said.
Simukonda’s men play their first group match against Tunisia on November 28 before playing COSAFA rivals South Africa on December 1.
Zambia’s final group stage match has been scheduled for December 4 against hosts Senegal.
Zambia qualified to the Under-23 event after defeating Botswana 3-1 on an aggregate score and later eliminated favourites Ivory Coast 4 – 3 on post-match penalties following goalless draws over two legs.
The provisional team has goalkeepers: Toaster Nsabata (Zanaco), Kenny Mumba (Red Arrows) and Lawrence Mulenga (Kabwe Warriors).
Defenders: Kapota Kayawe (Nkana), Boyd Mkandawire (Napsa Stars), Solomon Sakala (Kabwe Warriors), Benard Mapili (Zesco United), Billy Mutale (Power Dynamos), Benedict Chepeshi (Red Arrows), Mweene Mumbi (Green Buffaloes).
Midfielders: Jack Chirwa (Green Buffaloes), Paul Katema (Red Arrows) Benson Sakala (Power Dynamos), Shadreck Malambo (Red Arrows), Salulani Phiri (Zanaco), Bruce Musakanya (Red Arrows), John Ching’andu (Zesco United), Julius Situmbeko (Power Dynamos), Larry Bwalya (Power Dynamos), Jacob Ngulube (Mufulira Wanderers), Godfrey Ngwenya (Kabwe Warriors).
Strikers: Moses Phiri (Zanaco), Friday Samu (Green Buffaloes), Noble Ramsey (Power Dynamos) and Patson Daka (Power Dynamos).