Zambia coach Makinka impressed with positive U-17 World Cup start

Zambia national U-17 Boys team coach Dennis Makinka has hailed his players on their opening 3-1 victory against Indonesia at the 2025 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Mapalo Simute thought he had scored the tournament’s quickest goal when he tapped in a Kelvin Chipelu cross just 24 seconds from the first whistle, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.

Zambia controlled the game in the opening exchanges but found themselves down when Indonesia struck against the run of play in 12th minute from a Muhamed Gholy effort. However, Zambia kept their shape, and asked the right questions of the Indonesian defense and it was not before long that they leveled matters.

The goal came in the 35th minute when Able Nyirongo buried a chance created by Chipelu. Two minutes later, Nyirongo completed his brace with a long range drive to give Zambia the lead.  The game was put to bed in a few minutes from the break through Lukonde Mwale’s goal to take the scoreline to 3-1.

Zambia got what they planned for

“We needed the three points in the first game. We got what we planned for, and I am very happy,” said Makinka said after the game. “The fans from Indonesia were fantastic. They gave their team support, but they also gave us a push because of that energy.

“If more supporters can come and push their boys, it will be good for football. It was a very important result.”

Speaking on behalf of the players’ defender Andrew Mwape said: “It was not an easy game. We pushed for a positive result. The game was intense but according to the way the coaches told us, we have to approach each game as it is, that’s how we managed to get positive results.”

The win enabled the Young Chipolopolo tpo sit second in Group H with three points, at par with leaders Brazil.