Zambia have long been a power in the Southern African region at all levels and will be looking to cement that status when they take part in the CAF African Schools Football Championship | COSAFA Qualifier in Walvis Bay, Namibia from October 11-13.
Zambia did not have entrants into the inaugural event in Lilongwe, Malawi in 2022, but did participate when the zonal qualifier was held in Harare, Zimbabwe last year.
Travel issues meant the Boys and Girls teams arrived only after the competition had begun and had to forfeit their first two games, putting them on the back foot in the race for a place in the final.
The Boys team then beat Angola (2-1) but lost to Madagascar (1-2) and did not reach the decider.
The Girls team beat Angola 8-0 and Madagascar 3-0 to showcase their potential, but it was not enough to reach the final.
Certainly, this time round there will be hope that they can be in the mix for silverware and the country’s record in COSAFA competitions – both men and women – suggests this will be the case.
The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) understands what an excellent steppingstone this competition – and the Under-15 age-group – is to international football for these players.
“This competition is important to us because it will inspire and encourage our school going kids to participate more in schools sporting activities,” FAZ said in a statement previously. “Sports helps to build good, strong characters and discipline in athletes.
“We hope this competition teaches our kids self-respect, confidence, hard work, discipline, unity and the importance of teamwork.”
Zambia are three-time winners of the COSAFA Under-17 Championship, and are current holders, and have won the U20 title on a record 12 occasions and the senior men’s championship a record seven times.
They have also won the Women’s Under-17 Championship in 2021 and lifted the senior women’s title in 2022.
The draw for the 10-team CAF African Schools Football Championship | COSAFA Qualifier will be made in Harare ahead of the tournament.
The draw for the eight-team tournament will be made in Walvis Bay ahead of the competition.
