Coach Ian Bakala believes that the Zambia Under-17 national team is 75 percent ready for the Algeria Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations, which is set to kick off on Saturday. This comes after the team thumped Senegal 4-2 in an international friendly held at Rouiba Stadium in Algiers on Monday. Midfielder Jonathan Kalimina scored a hat-trick while striker Marcel Zimba contributed one, with Amara Diouf and Mame Mody scoring for Senegal. Zambia is in Group B alongside Morocco, South Africa, and Nigeria, who they face in the opening match on Sunday in Constantine. In an interview, Bakala said that the win over Senegal gave the technical bench a clear picture ahead of their opening match against Nigeria. He added that only 25 percent is left before his team is ready for the tournament, and they need to push more and identify areas for improvement. Meanwhile, hat-trick hero Kalimina emphasized the importance of continuing to work hard, while skipper Aaron Mbemba acknowledged that Senegal provided a tough test and that the team needs to stay focused for their upcoming matches. The semi-finalists of the Algeria Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations will qualify for the FIFA World Cup scheduled for November this year. Picture-FAZ Media