•CHIPOLOPOLO coach Honour Janza is lifted by Zambia Sports Fans Association members on arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport on Thursday. Picture by JEAN MANDELA

By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –
WHEREAS the Chipolopolo are rueing their fluffed outing to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Equatorial Guinea, the junior stars have picked positives from the outing to help them win the Senegal 2015 Africa Youth Championship.
Under-20 captain Lubambo Musonda, striker Patrick Ngoma and midfielder Spencer Sautu were part of the Chipolopolo AFCON squad that suffered first round elimination in Ebebiyin after finishing bottom with two points.
Zambia will be among eight countries that will compete at the continental youth championship where the top four teams will qualify to the FIFA 2015 World Cup finals.
Sautu said in an interview that while he may not have played a part at the AFCON tournament, the feeling of a big stage has motivated him to aim at reaching greater heights.
“I have worked hard all my life and because an opportunity knocks just once, when it knocks it should be grabbed. So I want to ask all my Under-20 team-mates to work hard so we get to the highest point in football.
The two other Under-20 sides that have gone to the World Cup ahead of us went to the Africa Youth Championship targeting a World Cup place, but that is not the case with us, we are going to win the under-20 Africa Cup,” he said.
In 1999 and 2007 editions, Zambia finished fourth at both Africa Youth Championships to subsequently qualify for the World Cup tournament. The Patrick Phiri coached side went out at group stage in 1999 while the George Lwandamina 2007 side reached the quarterfinals.
Musonda, who played at the 2015 AFCON tournament, expressed happiness with his overall performance saying the experience has helped him become a better player and now wants the Africa youth title.
“I am happy with my performance at my first Africa Cup, even my club called me to tell me they are proud with what I did. I now want more and I will be looking forward to winning the Africa Under-20 title in March,” he said.
Ngoma, who came on as a second-half substitute in the 0-0 draw against Cape Verde, expressed confidence of making a statement at the Africa Youth Championship.
“I played some minutes at the Africa Cup and I don’t feel like I failed and I know I can make it at that big stage. This gives me great confidence and I’m looking forward to the Africa Under-20 Championships, I know we can win the title,” he said