By GRACE CHAILE –
ZAMBIA Under-17 soccer team coach Chris Kaunda yesterday unveiled his final 21-member squad for the Niger 2015 Africa Junior Championship and has set a target of reaching the semi-finals.
The team that is in Group A with hosts Niger, Guinea and Nigeria leaves for the battlefront on Thursday for the 16th edition of the continental junior tournament that will run from February 15 to March 1.
Kaunda said during a media briefing held at Football House in Lusaka yesterday that he was targeting reaching the last four despite being grouped against three West African countries.
He declared the squad ready for the challenge and expressed confidence of sealing a semi final place to earn qualification to the FIFA 2015 World Cup. Kaunda said after attaining that feat, his side will then shift focus towards challenging to win the title.
“The target is to reach the semi-finals of the tournament and then challenge title last after securing a World Cup place. We shall not be intimidated by any team, Zambia as a country is making her debut at the tournament but all the players that will be at the competition will also be making their debuts. No coach is using the players that played in the previous tournament,” he said.
Kaunda said he was impressed with the preparations the team has undergone, adding that he has seen improvements.
He said the four players who were part of the 2014 Airtel Raising Stars (ARS) programme have managed to grab places in the final team based on their brilliant output.
“The 2014 Airtel Rising Stars Albert Mwanza, Alfred Chirwa, Peter Nyirenda and Mwansa Mwila played well during the friendly against South Africa and deserve their place in the team,” he said.
Kaunda said it was unfortunate that Zesco United striker Maybin Kalengo could not be part of the team due to a persistent ankle injury.
He said Kalengo could have partnered well with captain Patson Daka upfront to get the team the needed goals had it been not for the injury.
Kaunda said Patrick Ngoma will also not travel with the team because he is with the Under-20 preparing for the Senegal 2015 Africa Youth Championship to be held next month.
Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) communication manager Nkweto Tembwe commended Airtel Zambia for the good partnership that has continued to produce results.
Tembwe said it was evident that the ARS was bearing fruit as all the players in the Under-17 team where discovered through the programme.
The final team has goal keepers: Daniel Sikanyinka (Damiano Academy), Jackson Kakunta (Kabwata Dynamos) and Albert Mwanza (Lumwana Radiants).
Defenders: Prosper Chiluya (OYDC), Salati Lungu (Sable Bulls), Wayne Musaba (Premium Sport), Gift Sikaonga (Nchanga Rangers), Edward Chimfwembe (Zesco Victoria Falls), Stephen Chulu (Kabwe Youth Sports Academy) and Alfred Chirwa (Intersport).
Midfielders: Victor Chungu (Lusaka Youth Academy), Musonda Siame (Kafue Celtic), Edwin Chipile (Zesco Malaiti Rangers), Ngosa Sunzu (Lusaka Youth Academy), Enock Mwepu (Kafue Celtic), Garry Mwelwa (Gomes) and Mwansa Mwila (Prison Leopards).
Strikers: Pumulo Siwanga (Chirundu United), Patson Daka (Nchanga Rangers), Kenny Sinkala (Dee Jays) and Peter Nyirenda (Zesco Kabwe).
Meanwhile, Tembwe said the 2015 Samuel ‘Zoom’ Ndhlovu Charity Shield semi finals will be played on February 21 at the Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe and the draws will be conducted on Wednesday next week.
Zesco United, who are the league and Barclays Cup champions, 2015 Confederations Cup envoys Power Dynamos, Zanaco and last year’s winners Nkana, who beat Red Arrows 3-1 to lift the trophy, will be the sides taking part in the tournament whose final will be held on March 7.