. Chambeshi

By SANDRA MWILA –
THE Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has appointed Beston ‘Quicksilver’ Chambeshi as national under-20 football coach, replacing Hector Chilombo ahead of the 2017 Africa under-20 championship that Zambia will host.
Chambeshi will be assisted by Zanaco coach Numba Mumamba while Green Buffaloes coach Bilton Musonda has been retained to the bench and will be the second assistant.
And two players from Bangweulu, in Luapula Province have been named in the 27-member provisional Zambia under-20 team that starts preparations for the 2017 Africa Cup this week.
Chambeshi, who is Lumwana Radiants coach expressed excitement at the appointment and described it as an honour to serve the country.
He pledged to work hard to ensure the team was in top form ahead of the tournament early next year.
He said he will look at the players that he has and ensure that a strong team that will compete against other African countries.
“I am happy to be named as under-20 coach, it’s a huge task ahead of me and the entire team, we have to work hard to prepare a strong team ahead of this important under 20 tournament that we shall host,” Chambeshi said.
And Mumamba said he was humbled by the appointment and that he will work hard to ensure that the boys get good results at the pan-African junior football jamboree.
“The appointment is by the grace of God, we will work hard and push the boys to get better results and what is important is to work as a team and support our head coach,” Mumamba said.
And Zambia under-20 Team Manager Daniel Jere who released the team list yesterday said all players to report in camp today.
Jere said he expects players to have reported yesterday and those that had Sunday games need to be in camp today at Magodi Lodge without fail.
“Players must be in camp on Sunday and those that have games should report on Monday at Magodi lodge and travelling at night should be avoided,” Jere said.
In the team, there are two players from Bangweulu in midfielders Chabala Kasanda and Kaoma Ngosa with one more goalie from Mansa Health Stars.
The full list has goalkeepers Charles Mulenga (Intersport), Daniel Sikanyika (Lusaka Dynamos) and Marvelous Mayani from Mansa Health Stars.
The defenders are Alfred Namindi (Zesco Solwezi), Fredrick Mwimazi (Assembly), Victor  Mulenga (Mpande Youth),  Edward Chimfwembe  (Kabwe Youth), Mapalo Sikazwe (Intersport), Moses Nyondo (Nkana) and Livingstone Pirates’ Misheck Simwawa.
The midfielders in the team are Chabala Kasanda and Kaoma Ngosa (Bangweulu), Gamalel Simutenda (Mpande Youth), Morris Kaumba (Solwezi Academy), Bernard Chitalu (Nkana) and Kenneth Kalunga (Gomes).
The rest of the midfielders are Maximillian Kamawe (Nchanga), Simon Sinkala (Young Buffaloes), Linos Makwaza (Young Power ) and Boyd Kauya from Happy Hearts.
The strikers are Mike Musukuma (Kabwe Youth), Joseph Silwamba (Real Nakonde), Joseph   Phiri (Red Arrows) Edward Chilufya (Mpande Youth) and Happy Nsofwa from Police College.