U-17 World Cup: Zambia coach Makinka worried about wounded Honduras

Zambia Under-17 Boys national team coach Dennis Makinka is under no illusion that Friday’s 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup contest against Honduras will not be an easy one.

Following a 3-1 win over Indonesia at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, the junior Chipolopolo have a chance to book a place into the next round of the competition but face a Honduras hurdle.

Speaking ahead of the matchday two, Makinka said the game will not be easy because Honduras are coming from a 7-0 loss against Brazil.

Zambia have high morale after opening win

“It’s a difficult game, of course, you know, they are coming from a loss. A team that is coming from a loss is very dangerous because, you know when you lose, you realise the many mistakes that you make and correcting them is easy,” he told FAZ Media ahead of the clash.

“But again, if you plan well, it’s also easy because their morale is not very high and we are coming from a win. We have high morale and also we’ve prepared very well for this game. We’ve been psyching the boys”

He added: “We’ve been having meetings, especially about the mental aspects, psychological issues. We’ve been talking about them so that we prepare the boys physically and mentally, especially, you know, coming from a win.”

Speaking on behalf of the players, midfielder Nthasilwe Malupande said the squad is focused on Honduras.

“We have to take every game seriously; it will not be an easy game. We do not have to rely on the win that we won against Indonesia. It is water under the bridge,” said Malupande.

He said the game is an opportunity for players to show the world what Zambia is capable of. Zambia are second in Group H with three points, at par with Brazil who have a superior goal difference.

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