With only two days to the start of the 21st edition of the U-20 World Cup, Ducor Sports takes a look at the history of the African teams and their chances ahead of the tournament that kicks off on 20 May, in Korea Republic.
Africa is represented by four teams; Guinea, Zambia, South Africa, and Senegal.
GUINEA
Guinea will be making its second appearance and also holds the tournament record for the longest absence between successive participations, having returned to the 2017 finals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 38 years since making its debut in the competition.
Guinea is one of nine teams with a 100% losing record in the U-20 World Cup but the only one from that category featuring in the 2017 edition. The Syli National Junior is also one of three sides that has failed to score in the competition; the others being Indonesia and Tahiti, who are both absent from this edition.
Guinea will be facing Argentina (six -time champions), England, and Korea Republic in Group A and will play the opening match against hosts Korea Republic on May 20.
GUINEAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers
Sekouba CAMARA (Atletico Coleah), Moussa CAMARA (Horoya AC), David KABA (Hafia FC)
Defenders
Salif SYLLA (AS Kaloum),Mamadouba DIABY (AS Kaloum),Mohamed CAMARA (Fello Star),Dide FOFANA (Hafia FC),Jean FERNANDEZ (AC Ajaccio),Yamoussa CAMARA (AS Kaloum),MOHAMED ALI (Hafia FC)
Midfielders
Oumar TOURE (Juventus FC),Daouda CAMARA (Horoya AC),IBRAHIMA SORY SOUMAH (Fello Star),Morlaye SYLLA (FC Arouca),Mamadou KANE (AS Kaloum),Naby BANGOURA (FC Vizela),Alseny SOUMAH (FC Arouca)
Forwards
Momo YANSANE (Hafia FC), Mohamed COUMBASSA (Wakriya AC),Mamady BARRY (Soumba FC), Jules KEITA (SC Bastia)
Coach: Mandiou DIALLO (GUI)
ZAMBIA
Zambia will be competing in its third U-20 World Cup and is making a return after a 10-year absence. The Junior Chipolopolo obtained its best placing at Canada in 2007 when the team was eliminated in the Round of 16 by Nigeria.
The Zambians have won two out of seven matches in the U-20 World Cup, 4-3 against Honduras in 1999 and 2-0 against Uruguay in 2007.
The current African Champions will be facing Portugal, Iran, and Costa Rica in Group C for the first time in the competition.
ZAMBIAN SQUAD
Goal keepers
Mangani BANDA (Zanaco FC), Samson BANDA (ZESCO United FC), Jim (Circuit City FC)
Defenders
Moses NYONDO (Nkana FC), Prosper CHILUYA CHILUYA (Lumwana Radiants), Benson CHALI (Forest Rangers FC), Solomon SAKALA (Napsa Stars FC), Shemmy MAYEMBE (DF ZESCO United FC), Edward TEMBO (Gomes FC), Muchindu MUCHINDU (Intersport FC)
Midfielders
Ngosa SUNZU (Hapoel Ra’anana AFC), Musonda SIAME (Kafue Celtics), Harrison CHISALA (Nkana FC), Enock MWEPU (Napsa Stars FC), Emmanuel BANDA (SC Esmoriz), Boyd MUSONDA (Zanaco FC), Kenneth KALUNGA (IFS (DEN)
Forwards
Conlyde (Lusaka Dynamos FC), Fashion SAKALA (FC Spartak Moscow), Edward CHILUFYA (Mpande Academy), Patson (FC Liefering)
Coach: Beston CHAMBESHI (ZAM)
Featured photo: FIFA
