By SANDRA MWILA –
THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has tipped the Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) Under-17 boys and girls teams to win the Africa Championship that kicks off on August 25, in Gabon.
Coach Chris Kaunda has summoned 16 boys and girls for a two-week final assessment programme in Lusaka ahead of departure on August 23 for the tournament that will run from August 25 to 31.
FAZ executive committee member Lee Kawanu said in an interview in Lusaka that he was confident that the final players to be picked to represent Zambia will put in their best to win the competition.
Kawanu said the boys and girls team should target at winning the elusive title that Zambia is yet to win since the inception of the competition.
“It’s high time Zambia won the ARS Africa championship this year because we have been runners up for two years. I am confident that the squad the coach will pick will be up to the task,” he said.
When asked about the deadly Ebola virus that has hit most countries in West Africa, Kawanu said FAZ has consulted with the relevant Ministries and have been given a go ahead.
The boys team has goalkeepers Edward Mwanza (Southern), Albert Mwansa (North Western), Nchimunya Mweene (Central), Mulenga Mulenga (Lusaka).
Defenders are Teddy Mweetwa (Southern), Martin Mambo (Southern), Ponsieo Kampamba (Central), Martin Kangwa (Central), Sydney Simukanze (Lusaka), Shame Lumeta (Copperbelt), Joe Kaboyi (North Western), Webby Sinkamba (Northern), Gibson Zulu (Eastern Province), Chama Chibale (Copperbelt), Webster Kasongo (Copperbelt)
Midfielders include Rodrick Chitengi (Copperbelt), Joseph Chinyama (North Western), Enock Phiri (Southern),David Phiri (Southern), Aaron Phiri (Eastern), Victor Chisenga (Central), Brendford Chibwe (Luapula), Abuid Mumba (Luapula), Oliver Muntoshi (Lusaka)
Strikers are Philimon Chimbelu (Eastern), Misheck Nkhoma (Eastern), Mambo Mwiinga (Lusaka), Better Chikonde (Luapula), Elijah Banda (Luapula), Kenneth Kaunda (Copperbelt), Maybin Kalenga (Southern), Peter Nyirenda (Central), Brighton Kaunda (North Western) ,Joseph Chanda (North Western)
The girls team consists of Mutinta Muzinganani (Lusaka), Nikita Kasomo Copperbelt), Christine Kalengo (Copperbelt), Mpandu Kapemba (Luapula), Agness Musisa (North Western), Malisawa Mercy (Copperbelt), Carlo Mwape (Copperbelt), Estella Namugota (Copperbelt), Emelda Lwakuti (Copperbelt), Chilufya Loveness (Northern), and Doris Yamutoba (Copperbelt)
Memory Mulemba (Copperbelt), Mary Nanyiza (Copperbelt), Elina Zulu (Southern), Edina Phiri (Lusaka), Mellan Mulenga (Lusaka), Sara Mubanga (Lusaka), Ireen Musukwa (Lusaka), Bervery Muchinga (Lusaka), Hellen Phiri (Lusaka), Felistus Phiri (Lusaka), Metildess Mwanza (Lusaka), Mumbi Soko (Eastern), Margrate Mulenga (Lusaka), Ester Bwalya (Lusaka)
and Hellen Musonda (Lusaka).
Atness Banda (Lusaka), Natasha Tembo (Lusaka), Febby Bwalya (Copperbelt), Mildred Banda (Lusaka), Chipasha Lucy (Northern), Kasonde Florence (Northern), Costance Kasonde (Luapula)
Felistus Kasonde (Central) Jacklin Maseke (Southern), Naomy Tembo (Copperbelt) Javara Joyce (Southern), Luwi Muyovu (North Western). Nyoni Faides (Central), Chimbila Naomy (Muchinga) Chinfwembe Dorothy (Western).