Zambia arrive in Qatar, train for FIFA U-17 World Cup opener

The Zambia Under-17 Boys national team got straight to work on Friday in Doha as they shook off jet lag and trained at Pitch Five, one of the green turfs near the iconic Al Thumama Stadium ahead of their U-17 FIFA World Cup opener.

The Al Thumama Stadium, which hosted games during the 2022 FIFA World Cup just gave the Young Chipolopolo Boys an exciting big game atmosphere as they trained under the floodlights.

The team which arrived from Dubai, elected not to rest but went straight into training.

Zambia will start their campaign against Indonesia

With only three days left before the tournament starts, Zambia is working hard to fix every detail before the first match against Indonesia on Tuesday. The match against Indonesia will be played at pitch 7 of the Aspire Zone within Doha.

The players used the official World Cup match ball which they are already familiar with from their friendlies in Dubai. FIFA officials watched the full session closely and the pitch was in perfect condition which gave the boys a great environment to train.

FAZ Head of Delegation and Luapula FAZ Chairperson Mweemba Mujala, along with Technical Director Lyson Zulu, were present to witness the training session. Coach Dennis Makinka travelled with a 25-man squad, but he will trim it down to 21 players before the tournament begins.

Full Zambia U-17 squad in Qatar;

Goalkeepers; Rogers Simumba (Shamuel Football Academy), Wiseman Nkumbu Nyirenda (BillyPro Football Academy), and Christo Chitambala (Red Arrows Football Club).

Defenders; Jonathan Moomba Kalimina, Saviour Chola Mwansa (Kafue Celtic FC), Andrew Mwape (Metro Stars Academy), James Nene Sibene (Sporting Lusaka), Levyson Banda (Superade Academy), Pablo Ndalama (Dream Factory Academy).

Midfielders; Mike Bwalya Mutale (Makeni All Stars), Nelson Chilemu (Kafue Celtics FC), Nthasilwe Malupande (Kafue Celtics FC), Steven Lungu (Morkved Football Academy), Felix Phiri (Alashkert FC, Russia), Mapalo Simute (Mkushi Rising Stars), Gabriel Phiri (NAPSA FC), Bongani Ndhlovu (Metro Stars FC), Lukonde Mwale (SV Huesca FC, Spain), Robert Banda (Athletico Lusaka), Nkotami Chimwemwe (Lumwana Radiants), Mulenga Kelvin Chipelu (Forest Rangers).

Strikers; Abel Salim Nyirongo (Athletico Lusaka), Billy Daka (Nkwazi FC), Daniel Silubonde (Morkved FC), Caleb Musonda (Kafue Celtics FC).