Zambia U20 National team’s journey in this years World Cup faces its biggest test yet as they lock horns with  Germany in the round of 16 at 12:45 hours central African time . Zambia topped group C with 6 points from three group games while Germany came out third in group B with 4 points.

ROAD TO KNOCK OUT STAGE

Zambia’s road to the round of 16 involved 2 wins and a loss hence cementing their place as table toppers of group C with 6 goals scored and 4 conceded.

Germany on the other hand came out third in group C with 4 Points from 3 games with one win, a draw and a loss. They have managed to score 3 goals and have conceded four.

HISTORY

Germany (West Germany) won their first and only title in 1981 and have been to the the prestigious tournament over ten times which is 3 times more than their opponents. Germany’s recent records have been Quarter final round knock outs in 2005, 2009 and 2015. If they fail to go passed a determined Zambian side it will be the first time they fail to reach the quarter finals since 2003.

The last time Germany failed to reach the quarter finals of the #U20WC was in 2003. Can the dream team make sure it happens again?

— Aaron Mubanga Jnr (@Mubajnr) May 30, 2017

Zambia on the other hand is making it’s third appearances at the world cup for the world cup. The best ever finish was a round of 16 Knock out in 2007 by Nigeria. Zambia have managed to make and break records already. They won the U20 Africa Cup of Nations tournament for the first time, beat European opposition at this tournament for the first time and now look to go one further and become the second African team to win the tournament after Ghana’s exploits in 2009.

Zambia's best finish at the #U20WC was reaching the round of 16 in 2007.Can the dream team go beyond this mark?#BolanaLesa #Worldcupibwele

— Aaron Mubanga Jnr (@Mubajnr) May 30, 2017

Zambia’s Strength lies in their attacking prowess with 59 goals scored in their last 26 games. Fashion Sakala is at the center of the action being a menace on the wings with Emmanuel Banda and Enock Computer Mwepu pulling the strings in the middle of the field.

Zambia U20 National team have managed to win 20 of their last 26 games with 59 goals scored in the process. @jnrsakala has scored 12 goals.

— Aaron Mubanga Jnr (@Mubajnr) May 30, 2017

Will Zambia beat Germany and continue their fairlytale ride in this tournament? Only ninety minutes of football plus extra time if need be will answer that question.

Zambia's quest for a first ever U20 World cup trophy faces its toughest test yet as they face Germany today at 12:45 hours.

Can they win?

— Aaron Mubanga Jnr (@Mubajnr) May 30, 2017

Zambia U20 National team stats since December 2016

7 December 2016
16:30
Zimbabwe 1–5 Zambia
Sibanda Goal 87′ (pen.)||
Patson Daka Goal 41′
Edward Chilufya Goal 44′
Crispin Sakulanda Goal 60′
Fashion Sakala Goal 83′
Moses Nyondo Goal 90′

11 December 2016
14:30
Zambia 3–0 Malawi
Crispin Sakulanda Goal 25′
Patson Daka Goal 77′
Fashion Sakala Goal 85′

13 December 2016
11:00
Zambia 2–0 Mozambique
Joseph Phiri Goal 22′
Fashion Sakala Goal 80′

14 December 2016
19:30hrs

Zambia 2-1 DR Congo
Fashion Sakala
Boyd Musonda

16 December 2016
17:30hrs
Zambia 2 (Kenneth Kalunga 8’, Boyd Musonda 85’) South Africa 1 (Kabelo Seriba 41’)

31st January 2017
Zambia 1-0 Tenerife U20
Mwape Mumba

2 February 2017
Zambia 1-0 Basel U20
Crispin Sakulanda

8th February 2017
Zambia U20 1-3 Barcelona youth team
Enock Computer Mwepu

12th February 2017

Zambia U20 2-1 South Africa U20
Enock Computer Mwepu

26 February 2017
15:00
Zambia 1–0 Guinea
Daka Goal 47′
National Heroes Stadium, Lusaka

1 March 2017
18:00
Mali 1–6 Zambia
Danté Goal 5′ Fashion Sakala Goal 7′, 65′
Emmanuel Banda Goal 24′
Enock Computer Mwepu Goal 37′
Edward Chilufya Goal 49′, 53′
National Heroes Stadium, Lusaka

4 March 2017
15:00
Zambia 3–1 Egypt
Patson Daka Goal 48′, 90′
Fashion Sakala Goal 72′ Nedved Goal 35′
National Heroes Stadium, Lusaka

8 March 2017
18:00
Zambia 1–0 (a.e.t.) South Africa
Edward Chilufya Goal 109′
National Heroes Stadium, Lusaka

12 March 2017
17:30
Zambia 2–0 Senegal
Patson Daka Goal 16′
Edward Chilufya Goal 34′
National Heroes Stadium, Lusaka

25th Match 2017

Zambia 2-0 Ecuador
Edward Chilufya
Enock Computer Mwepu

South Korea 4-1 Zambia
Edward Chilufya

Zambia 4-1 Hondurus
Enock Computer Mwepu x2
Edward Chilufya
Emmanuel Banda

Red Arrows 3-1 Zambia
Emmanuel Banda

Lusaka Dynamos 2-2 zambia
Bonface Muchindu
Harrison Chisala

Zambia 2-0 Lusaka Dynamos
Conlyde Luchanga
Boyd Musonda

Tenerife 0-3 Zambia
Enock Mwepu
Fashion Sakala
Conlyde Luchanga

Marino 2-2 Zambia
Conlyde Luchanga
Fashion Sakala

Las Palmas 0-4 Zambia
Musonda Siame
Conlyde Luchanga
Fashion Sakala
Patson Daka

Seleções de Portugal U20 1-2 Zambia
Edward Chilufya
Fashion Sakala jnr

Iran 2-4 Zambia
Fashion Sakala
Enock Computer Mwepu
Emmanuel Banda Jr
Patson Daka

Costa Rica 1-0 Zambia

Games played 26
games won 20
games drawn 2
games lost 4
Goals scored 59
Goals allowed 25
goals difference +34
goal per game ratio 2.3 goals
clean sheets 10

Scorers
Fashion Sakala Jr -12
Edward Chilufya- 9
Patson Daka-8
Enock Computer Mwepu-8
Emmanuel Banda Jr -4
Conlyde Luchanga -4
Crispin Sakulanda-3
Boyd Musonda-3
Joseph Phiri 1
Mwape Mumba 1
Kenneth Kalunga 1
Moses Nyondo 1
Musonda Siame 1
Bonface Muchindu 1
Harrison Chisala 1