By GRACE CHAILE –
ZAMBIA Under-17 soccer team new call-ups have promised to work hard at the Niger 2015 Africa Junior Championship to repay the confidence entrusted in them by coach Chris Kaunda.
Striker Peter Nyirenda, goalkeeper Albert Mwanza and defender Alfred Chirwa, who were discovered during the Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) programme, made the final 21-member list that will be travelling for the continental showpiece on Thursday.  ?Zambia is in Group A alongside hosts Niger, Guinea and Nigeria at the 16th edition of the Africa Junior Championship slated for February 15 to March 1.
Nyirenda, who plays for Zesco Kabwe, said the tournament will be a great experience for him and pledged to score as many goals to help the team reach the semi finals.
He said in an interview yesterday that getting a place in the national team is a golden opportunity and will work hard to prove his inclusion in Niger.?“Yes, I worked hard during training but never expected to be in the final team. It will be my first experience playing at such a high profiled competition but I feel that I am ripe enough to deliver results for the team’” he said.
Mwanza said he understands what will be at stake at the tournament and that it will be important for the team to work as a group to achieve their aim.
“We will have to work as a team if our dream of reaching the finals is to remain alive, it will be a tough competition but I feel we can go far if we continue working hard and as a team,” he said.?The Lumwana Radiant goalkeeper said the team has undergone enough preparations in the past weeks and the experience gained during the friendly game against South Africa has relieved many players of nervousness ahead of the competition.?Chirwa, who plays for Intersport, said he will prove to coach Kaunda that his inclusion in the team was not a mistake.?He said the team will not intimidated by any opponent in the group and will take each game seriously to earn the needed points to see them advance to the semi finals to win qualification for the World Cup.?Kaunda, when announcing the team on Friday, said the trio had put in their best to be in the final team and urged the players not to relax just because they made the team but should continue working hard.
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).