By NDINAWE SIMPELWE –

THE Zambia Futsal team bench has named 15-year-old Abel Kanyamuna in the senior team that is preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals to be held in South Africa in April.

Kanyamuna returns to the national team after making a brief stint late last year prior to the Grand Prix of Futsal tournament in Brazil and the Africa Cup qualifier against Equatorial Guinea.

Assistant coach Brian Kunsanama said the technical bench has high hopes for the teenager who has shown great promise to become one of Zambia’s best players in the sport.

Kunsanama, however, said Kanyamuna would not be rushed to compete at the highest levels before he is fully nurtured.

“We have high prospects for the boy. If you remember even last year we called him, we have called him again to see his progression. We are cautious, we will take it step by step but I can assure you he has a bright future,” Kunsanama said.

Unlike last year when he was called to be monitored, Kanyauma this year has a chance to fight for a place in the final team that will travel to South Africa.

He will face stiff competition as the technical bench has retained the core of the team that qualified to the Africa with inclusion of Boyd Mkandawire.

Zambia qualified to the Africa Cup after a 7-7 goal aggregate but enjoyed a better away goal record against Equatorial Guinea whom they beat 3-2 in Lusaka but lost 5-4 away.

Other teams that qualified to the tournament include hosts South Africa, Angola, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Mozambique and Tunisia while draws will be conducted on February 17.

The Africa Cup will also be used as the World Cup qualifier with the top three teams at the tournament making it to Brazil.

The team has Kenneth Chulu, Pearson Lungu, Bonface Ndhlovu, Michelo Kaampwe, Bornface Banda, Aenold Chishala, Curren Ngulube, William Phiri, Simon Kangwa, Joseph Kalenga, David Sikombe, Mkandawire, Kanyauma.