The Zambia U20 team wrapped up the final week of local training camp in Lusaka last Friday before heading to West Africa to play three friendly games with a practice match win over Young Zanaco at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
Chisi Mbewe’s side will play two pre-tournament friendlies against Nigeria and one against Senegal next week en route to next month’s 2023 U20 AFCON in Egypt.
Both Nigeria and Senegal are also 2023 U20 AFCON bound.
Zambia will kick off their West African tour against Nigeria in Abuja with dates on January 27 and 30 in Abuja.
They will later face Senegal in Dakar on February 2.
“We were 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,” Zambia U20 assistant coach Albert Mphande said.
“It will give us some good position from where to start.”
Zambia is Group C where they will play Gambia, Tunisia and Benin in Alexandria.
The semifinalist in Egypt will all qualify for the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup in Indonesia from May 20 to June 11.