By FAZ Media
Zambia Under-17 National Team coach Ian Bakala has named a final 24-player squad for the upcoming 2023 TotalEnergies Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria.
Bakala has retained 13 players from the triumphant Zambia squad that won gold at the 2022 COSAFA U17 Boys Championship played under the auspices of the Region V Games in Malawi.
The rest of the squad comprises players selected from the provinces that were picked from The Rest squad in the 1-1 draw with the All Stars at Nkoloma stadium in Lusaka.
The U17 AFCON will run from April 29 to May 19 and the four semi-finalists of the tournament will qualify for the FIFA World Cup to be played later this year.
The Young Chipolopolo will come up with Nigeria on 30 April before a crunch fixture against South Africa on 3 May. Bakala’s side will wrap-up their Group B engagement with North Africans Morocco on 6 May.
FINAL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Shadreck Kalyati (Chainda Bombers), Anthony Matafwali (Shamuel Academy), Hendrix Kanyungulu (Kafue Celtic)
(DEFENDERS)
Aaron Simpasa (Kafue Celtic), Chimuka Lweendo (Atletico), David Hamansenya (Shamuel), Milimo Nalumango (DFIB Germany), Josiah Kabandula (Young Napsa Stars), Jonathan Kaliminia (Young Kafue Celtic), Sekanji Siame (Konkola Blades), Charles Kampamba (Sate Sate Academy)
(MIDFIELDERS)
Samson Malaya, Joseph Liteta (both Atletico), Bunonge Bunonge (Nangweshi Pirates), Obvious Mwaliteta Junior (Kabs Academy), Aaron Mbemba Phiri (Kafue Celtic), Stanley Nyamikwe (Pataaki), James Sibeene (Football Chance)
(STRIKERS)
Emmanuel Mwanza (Kafue Celtic), Luketekelo Kapowa (Mokved),Marcel Zimba (Atletico), Lineker Mbesuma (Jomo Cosmos-RSA), Andrew Phiri (Game On FC), Josim Sikazwe (Kanyama Lions)
South African under17 squad:-
Goalkeepers:
1. Takalani Mazhamba (Kaizer Chiefs FC)
2. Gennaro Johnson (Cape Town Spurs FC)
3. Kyle Jansen (Atlanta United FC)
Defenders:
4. Xhosa Manyama (Cape Town City FC)
5. Keitumetse Lesia (Supersport United FC)
6. Waylon Renecke (Norwich City FC)
7. Benjamin Wallace (Supersport United FC)
8. Vincent Sithole (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
9. Tyler Cicero (Stellenbosch FC)
10. Thato Sibiya (Mamelodi Sundowns FC0
Midfielders:
11. Xolani Tshaka (Orlando Pirates FC)
12. Gomolemo Kekana (TS Galaxy FC)
13. Vicky Mkhawana (Kaizer Chiefs FC)
14. Xavier Jodamus (Ubuntu Academy)
15. Dhakier Lee (Cape Town Spurs FC)
Forwards:
16. Luke Baartman (Cape Town Spurs FC)
17. Michael Dokunmu (Vittese FC)
18.Orifha Maubelo (Capital City FC)
19. Bennet Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
20. Gabriel Amato (Cape Town City)
21. Siyabonga Mabena (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Now compare the above to our academy under17! What results do we expect?
This is not difference from the behavior of one Chisi Mbewe… We should not expect anything positive with this Lusaka province select side. Picking players from two team which have been relegated (kafue Celtic and athletical Lusaka). Local coaches never learn
It’s true…these local coaches have failed. Chisi Mbewe received a lot of praise not knowing that he was just under the shadows of Oswald Mutapa.. good coaches like Perry, Oswald,Chiyangi etc should be given chance.
It will be miraculous if we will salvage anything from this tournament.
No players from Power, buffaloes,Nkana, Zesco and these other big teams.
It’s high time we became serious with our game.