LUSAKA - The Zambia Under-17 national team this weekend engages their Zimbabwean counterparts in two international preparatory matches in Lusaka.

The games constitute the final phase of preparations for the Zambian juniors.

Zambia is preparing for the penultimate round of qualifiers for the 2013 Caf Under-17 Africa Cup.

Zambia travels to South Africa next week for the first leg of this round against that country.

The game is scheduled for Saturday, October 13. Zimbabwe, which is also in the running for the Africa Junior championship, plays Congo Brazzaville.

“Our Under-17 national team has been preparing well for the coming qualifier against South Africa. We have talented young boys who continue to make tremendous progress and now stand ready to play the best that the continent can offer. As the team enters the final week of preparations, we have arranged that they play another series of friendly matches. We have since concluded arrangements with our counterparts a Zifa for Zambia to host the Zimbabwe Under-17 team this weekend,” said Faz spokesperson Erick Mwanza.

“The first match between the Zambia Under-17 and Zimbabwe Under-17 team will be played on Saturday, October6, 2012, at the Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka. It will curtain raise the MTN Super League game between Green Buffaloes and Indeni and will kick off at 13:00hours. The second match, on Sunday October 7 will be played at the same venue at 15:00hours,” Mwanza said.

He called on fans to turn up in large numbers at Woodlands so that “they can fill the stadium and create an atmosphere that goes with competition matches so that the young boys can experience the thrill of playing before capacity crowds.” — SuperSport