Photo Courtesy FAZ Media.
The Federation of Zambia Football Association (FAZ) has promised to give their U17 men’s team attention as they kick-start preparations for the TotalEnergies U17 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
On Monday, coach Ian Baka named a provisional squad of 40 players to start preparations for the tournament. The team which secured qualification for the tournament as the 2024 COSAFA U17 champions, will commence a one-week training camp from 19-25 January 2025.
“We are excited at the football prospects of this week, with our under-17 boys and girls entering camp for their forthcoming international engagements. The Under-17 boys are preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations which will be played in Morocco from April 1-19,” said FAZ President Andrew Kamanga in a statement seen by Pan-Africa Football.
“Coach Ian Bakala and his technical bench have started preparations with a local camp and will heighten the tempo as draw closer to the tournament. We will also organize some international friendly matches in the final stages of the preparations for the team. We are happy that they have also drafted some promising talents that were not part of the victorious COSAFA side.
“This is particularly good as it kills off the spirit of complacency and entitlement among the players and promotes health competition. There is enough competition from players that have risen from the under-15 national team both from academies and the schools pool.
“The exposure garnered from the under-15 FIFA Talent Development Program has prepared the current under-17 squad to compete favourably at the global stage.”
The preparatory camp marks the junior Chipolopolo’s first step in gearing up for the continental competition set to take place in Morocco from 30 March to 19 April 2025.
Leading the squad are standout players Abel Salim Nyirongo, the top scorer at the 2024 COSAFA U17 Championship and Mapalo Simute, who was named the tournament’s best player. The squad includes a blend of returning champions and fresh talent scouted from across the country.
The AFCON tournament will also serve as a pathway to the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup, with the top 10 teams earning qualification to the expanded global event scheduled to take place in Qatar later this year.
PROVISIONAL SQUAD;
GOALKEEPERS; Rodgers Simumba (Shamuel Academy), William Zulu (Blaze Sporting Lusaka FC), Jonathan Mudenda (Atletico Lusaka), Arthur Tembo (Kafue Eagles).
DEFENDERS; Otton Phiri (Morkved Sports Klub), James Sibene (Sporting Lusaka), Jonathan Kalimina, Saviour Mwansa, Emmanuel Mbuti (all Kafue Celtic), Malama Chanda (Red Arrows), Justin Mukuka (Air Power FC), Moses Phiri (Blue Bullets), Kelvin Simukoko (On On Academy).
MIDFIELDERS; Mapalo Simute (Mkushi Rising Stars), Mike Mutale (Makeni All Stars), Felix Phiri (Lusaka Youth Soccer Academy), Robert Banda, Aston Chishimba, Russell Kalumbete (all Atletico Lusaka)Nthasilwe Malupande (Kafue Celtic), Vincent Mutondo (Central City Academy), Gift Mumbi (Game on Academy), Gabriel Phiri (NAPSA Stars), Jimmy Banda (Collins Mbesuma Academy), Nkotami Chimwemwe (Mpongwe United), Joseph Zulu (Nangweshi Pirates), Bongani Ndhlovu (Young Zanaco), Gabriel Kaunda (Kingstone Academy), Ben Chembe (Bristol Academy), Blessing Kabwe, Charles Mponda (both RM Academy), Kelvin Mulenga (Young Forest Rangers), Charles Kampamba (Lilanda Boys), Godfrey Kampamba (Red Lions), Samuel Chisela (Vicrich Academy).
STRIKERS; Abel Salim Nyirongo (Atletico Lusaka), Mwiza Mpondamali (Vickrich Academy), James Chisenga (BUSA), Daniel Silubanda (Morkved Sports Klub), Kaulu Mwelwa (Air Power).
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