The just ended Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations has brought relief and healing to the soccer fraternity especially to those who have been following the Junior Chipolopolo closely. Though not at the global stage, previous world cup performances had nothing much to write home about.
The 1999 edition of the Junior World cup, which was held in Nigeria, saw Zambia record their heaviest loss in the tournament going down 5-1 against Brazil. An almost much better performance came in the 2007 edition held in Canada.
The junior Chipolopolo qualified to the tournament after coming fourth in the Africa youth championship then, before it was changed to the under twenty Africa cup of nations. Even though the team was eliminated in round 16 by Nigeria, there were positives from that tournament. Zambia was ranked 11th on FIFA under twenty rankings however, the major success was the massive talent discovered from that squad, whose members later dominated the 2012 senior AFCON winning squad.
Back at the cross roads, this time the just ended under twenty Africa cup of nations has being a success.The junior Chipolopolo are not only champions but also produced the heaviest win of the tournament prevailing over Mali by 6-1 and have definitely qualified to the world cup. The world stage is calling, all roads lead to South Korea for the world cup.
The football association of Zambia spokesperson Desmond Mtonga said that the Under 20 Africa cup of nations is over and the focus is on the world cup. He later added that the task now is to ensure the team prepares adequately as the world cup was a whole new different stage.
‘Considerations are underway that the team camp in Europe but the destination cannot be confirmed yet.
The Junior Chipolopolo have also been invited to participate in the four nations tournament in South Korea, where Hondurus, Ecuador , Zambia and the hosts will be taking part, this will equally be used for the preparations.’
Reacting to the FIFA World Cup draw where the junior Chipolopolo have been drawn alongside Costa rica, Portugal and Iran in group C, Mtonga said that the teams drew with Zambia are good but at the same time Zambia was a good side. He adds that it is the reason why they are African champions and it is through hard work, they were able to beat strong teams like Egypt and Mali. Before this tournament Zambia had never beaten Mali at such a high level. Portugal maybe a good team but our team is ambitious, yearning to archive more and ready for battle.
Arguably the greatest revelation of the tournament, a marvel to watch and a darling of the crowd donning jersey 10 Fashion Sakala is upbeat describing the feeling after the triumph as being good especially that it made the Zambians proud. ‘Am worried of Portugal but people must expect a win, we know we can do it,’ Sakala said commenting on the upcoming world cup features.
Meanwhile a Lusaka based soccer fan Rev Malupande Mwale has urged the government to fulfil its promise of allowing the boys to choose the destination of camping. He says the unconfirmed rumours of the team camping in England can be a good move, if it came to pass can help the team tactically, blending in with the Spanish football they were exposed as preparations prior to the start of the just ended competition . This can assist a lot when it comes to big tournaments like the world cup.
‘The boys seem to be ready from the way they are playing, am fine with the group where they are’, Mr Malupande said.
The impression on the African stage has been enunciated, now on both the junior and senior level. However on the global tournament the senior team are yet to participate in the World Cup, the junior Chipolopolo are in dire need of continuation from where the 2007 squad left, up a step or even steps farther.
Therefore, resources, practice and expertise must be up to task for this enormous quest as the country awaits eagerly for the senior team maiden appearance at the tournament and of course that dream starts with the nurturing of this young talent into responsible football professionals for the upcoming junior world cup.
Born on the 11September 1993 in Lusaka. I believe can do all things through God who strengthens me. Above all we can do much more to gather. WE ARE ALL ALREADY MOTIVATED, IT'S JUST EITHER POSITIVELY OR NEGATIVELY MOTIVATED -DR ROBERT ATTORNEY
2 months ago
2 months ago
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.5 months ago
UNZA STUDENTS OWE OVER K58 MILLION IN FEES, REVEALS VC
lusakastar.com
The University of Zambia (UNZA) management has reviewed that deregistered students owe the learning institution over K58 million, which is meant to cater for operational costs. Speaking at a press bri...April 11, 2021 | ||
Red Arrows | 2 - 0 | Green Eagles |
April 10, 2021 | ||
Kabwe Warriors | 1 - 0 | Young Green Eagles |
Prison Leopards | 2 - 1 | Nkwazi |
Lumwana Radiants | 2 - 1 | Buildcon |
Zanaco | 2 - 1 | Lusaka Dynamos |
Green Buffaloes | 0 - 1 | ZESCO United |
April 8, 2021 | ||
Nkana | 1 - 2 | Forest Rangers |
April 4, 2021 | ||
ZESCO United | 2 - 1 | Zanaco |
Buildcon | 2 - 1 | Forest Rangers |
April 3, 2021 | ||
Indeni | 1 - 1 | Red Arrows |
Lusaka Dynamos | 1 - 1 | Kabwe Warriors |
Green Eagles | 2 - 2 | Prison Leopards |
Young Green Eagles | 2 - 1 | Lumwana Radiants |
Nkwazi | 1 - 0 | Kitwe United |
April 1, 2021 | ||
Nkana | 2 - 2 | Green Buffaloes |
March 30, 2021 | ||
NAPSA Stars | 0 - 2 | Power Dynamos |
March 26, 2021 | ||
NAPSA Stars | 2 - 1 | Buildcon |
March 20, 2021 | ||
Power Dynamos | 1 - 0 | Prison Leopards |
March 21, 2021 | ||
Nkana | 14:00 | NAPSA Stars |
March 24, 2021 | ||
ZESCO United | 14:00 | NAPSA Stars |
Zanaco | 14:00 | Nkana |
April 14, 2021 | ||
Kitwe United | 11:00 | Nkana |
Power Dynamos | 13:00 | Indeni |
Young Green Eagles | 13:00 | Zanaco |
Nkwazi | 13:00 | Red Arrows |
April 15, 2021 | ||
Forest Rangers | 13:00 | NAPSA Stars |
April 18, 2021 | ||
Lumwana Radiants | 13:00 | Nkana |
April 12, 2021 | ||
West Bromwich Albion | 3 - 0 | Southampton |
April 11, 2021 | ||
Sheffield United | 0 - 3 | Arsenal |
Tottenham Hotspur | 1 - 3 | Manchester United |
West Ham United | 3 - 2 | Leicester City |
Burnley | 1 - 2 | Newcastle United |
April 10, 2021 | ||
Crystal Palace | 1 - 4 | Chelsea |
Liverpool | 2 - 1 | Aston Villa |
Manchester City | 1 - 2 | Leeds United |
April 9, 2021 | ||
Fulham | 0 - 1 | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
April 5, 2021 | ||
Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2 - 3 | West Ham United |
Everton | 1 - 1 | Crystal Palace |
April 4, 2021 | ||
Manchester United | 2 - 1 | Brighton & Hov… |
Aston Villa | 3 - 1 | Fulham |
Newcastle United | 2 - 2 | Tottenham Hotspur |
Southampton | 3 - 2 | Burnley |
April 3, 2021 | ||
Arsenal | 0 - 3 | Liverpool |
Leicester City | 0 - 2 | Manchester City |
Leeds United | 2 - 1 | Sheffield United |
Chelsea | 2 - 5 | West Bromwich Albion |
January 17, 2021 | ||
Aston Villa | 01:00 | Everton |
April 12, 2021 | ||
Brighton & Hov… | 19:15 | Everton |
April 16, 2021 | ||
Everton | 19:00 | Tottenham Hotspur |
April 17, 2021 | ||
Southampton | 00:00 | Crystal Palace |
Newcastle United | 11:30 | West Ham United |
Wolverhampton Wanderers | 19:15 | Sheffield United |
April 18, 2021 | ||
Arsenal | 12:30 | Fulham |
Manchester United | 15:00 | Burnley |
April 19, 2021 | ||
Leeds United | 19:00 | Liverpool |
April 20, 2021 | ||
Chelsea | 19:00 | Brighton & Hov… |
April 21, 2021 | ||
Tottenham Hotspur | 17:00 | Southampton |
Aston Villa | 19:15 | Manchester City |
April 22, 2021 | ||
Leicester City | 19:00 | West Bromwich Albion |
April 23, 2021 | ||
Arsenal | 19:00 | Everton |
April 24, 2021 | ||
Liverpool | 11:30 | Newcastle United |
West Ham United | 16:30 | Chelsea |
Sheffield United | 19:00 | Brighton & Hov… |
April 25, 2021 | ||
Wolverhampton Wanderers | 11:00 | Burnley |
Leeds United | 13:00 | Manchester United |
Aston Villa | 18:00 | West Bromwich Albion |
Department of Media and Communication Studies The University of Zambia Great East Road Campus E-Mail, Twitter, Facebook Mobile Number: +260-964-038739 +260-976-516733 Telephone: +260-211-290035