The Zambia Under-17 national soccer team arrived in Asmara, capital of Eritrea on Wednesday morning ahead of Saturday's first leg of final qualifying round of the 2007 Togo African Youth championship, local TV reported.

Delegation leader Rix Mweemba was cited by the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) as saying the 23-man contingent was confident in winning the match, which will kick off at 3 p.m. Eritrean time (1200 GMT) on Saturday.

Assistant coach Linos Makwaza described the match as a "do or die encounter", which if the Zambian players win will make the return match easier for them.

Makwaza said the young players led by striker Boyd Mwila stand a better chance of winning.

The return match is scheduled for Lusaka on December 9, said Makwaza, adding that the final winner will clinch a berth slated for Togo next year.

The team beat Sudan with an aggregate 6-1 in the last round of qualifiers.

Source: Xinhua