A profile of 2018 COSAFA Under-17 Championship side Zambia as they prepare to defend their title in Mauritius from July 19-29.

COSAFA Under-17 Championship wins (1): 2017
Last years’ finish: Winners

African Under-17 Championship appearances (1): 2015
Best finish: Group Stages (2015)

FIFA Under-17 World Cup appearances (0): None

2018 COSAFA Under-17 Championship fixtures:
19/07: vs Mozambique – 12h30 – St Francois Xavier Stadium
22/07: vs Lesotho – 15h00 – Auguste Vollaire Stadium
24/07: vs South Africa – 15h00 – St Francois Xavier Stadium

Summary:
Zambia will be the defending champions at the 2018 COSAFA Under-17 Championships have stormed to the title in Mauritius last year.

It was a welcome change in fortunes for the Young Chipolopolo, who had been disqualified from the 2016 tournament after being found guilty of fielding two ineligible players.

But they put that set-back behind them to show their quality 12 months ago as they came through a difficult pool that also included regional heavyweights South Africa to secure the crown.

Zambia beat hosts Mauritius 3-0 in the final as Lameck Banda and Martin Njobvu finished as joint top-scorers. The team’s goalkeeper, Kennedy Nankhaima, also won the award for best gloveman in the tournament.

Zambia had found success hard to come by in the regional competition before that, despite a steady history of providing excellent young players.

They have also, somewhat surprisingly, only made a single appearance at the African Under-17 Championships in the past when the competition was staged in Niger in 2015.

Defeats to Nigeria and Guinea sealed a first round exit, though players such as Patson Daka, Prosper Chiluya and Enoch Mwepu have developed well since then and become stars of the Under-20 and senior national team set-up.

The Class of 2018 will be coached by Oswald Mutapa.