The Zambia Under-17 national soccer team lost to Eritrea 1-0 in the first leg of final qualifying round of the 2007 Togo African Youth Championship, local newspaper Times of Zambia reported Sunday.

The match was kicked off on Saturday afternoon in Asmara, capital of Eritrea.

Zambian coach Wedson Nyirenda was quoted as saying that his team played well though they were sunk by a 34-minute goal.

Nyirenda said he was optimistic that his squad would make a brilliant return in Lusaka.

The second-leg match is scheduled for December 9 in Lusaka and the final winner will clinch a berth for Togo next year.

Zambia beat Sudan with an aggregate 6-1 to enter the final qualifying round.

Source: Xinhua