Zambia U17 team arrive in Zimbabwe for COSAFA AFCON qualifiers

A confident Zambia national U17 team arrived safely in Harare, Zimbabwe, after a 45-minute flight to defend their COSAFA title.

The COSAFA U17 defending champions will be under the tutelage of veteran coach Chris Kaunda who is standing in for Ian Bakala who is unavailable for this particular assignment. Bakala is currently engaged with his club, CAPS United, in Zimbabwe prompting FAZ to rope in Kaunda who is not new to youth football having guided Zambia to the U17 AFCON in 2015.

He will be assisted by Lameck Banda, Clive Hachilensa, Francis Kombe, and Martin Mwamba. The junior Chipolopolo have set up base at the Monomotapa Hotel in Harare. Zambia are the defending champions of the competition. The top four teams will qualify for the 2025 AfCON tournament.

Four-time champions Zambia have been drawn in the same group as South Africa, Malawi, and Madagascar. Zambia will open their campaign on Friday, September 12, 2025, against South Africa at Ngoni Mwos Stadium before facing Malawi on Sunday, September 14, at Hearts Stadium.

They will wrap up the group stage campaign with a tie against Madagascar on Tuesday, September 16, at Hearts Stadium.

FINAL SQUAD;

(GOALKEEPERS); William Zulu (Atletico Lusaka), Christopher Wamundila (Junior Crocs).

(DEFENDERS); Emmanuel Mbuti (Young Crocs), Danivar Sianchongwe (Titans FC). Bright Phiri Atletico Lusaka), Levison Banda (Superade Academy), Pablo Ndalama (Dream Factory).

(MIDFIELDERS); Joseph Chizawu, Steven Lungu (Morkved Academy), Gift mumbi (Shamuel FC ), Ntasiwile Malupande, Nelson Chilemu (both Kafue Celtic), Temwani Siamfukwe (Atletico Lusaka).

(STRIKERS); Kelvin Chipelu (Forest Rangers), Mambwe Kalusa Atletico Lusaka), Reuben Kampamba (Shamuel FC), Mapalo Simute (Mkushi Rising Stars), Albert Kunda (Demofras Academy), Joseph Zulu (Nangweshi pirates), Caleb Musonda (Young Crocs).

⚽ Follow Pan-Africa Football across platforms for real-time news and stories.