By Franklyn M Malambo
When the Zambia Under-17 boys opened their campaign with a 4-0 humbling loss at the hands of South Africa, the warning signs were loud and clear: qualification was slipping away. The subsequent 2-1 defeat to Malawi only confirmed what many feared — no ticket to the 2026 U-17 AFCON, and by extension, no road to the World Cup.
It’s a bitter pill to swallow, especially when one recalls the heights our junior teams have scaled in recent memory.
Yes, excuses abound — among them the late appointment of a coach just days before the tournament — but at the end of the day, the outcome remains the same: Zambia will not be on the big stage. The 5-1 win over Madagascar was emphatic, yes, but merely cosmetic. Too little, too late.
So, what exactly are the costs of this failed campaign? Let’s count them.
• Missed Career Pathways
For young footballers, international tournaments are priceless shop windows. AFCON and the World Cup at junior level are where Europe’s scouts gather, where future stars announce themselves. From Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Iheanacho to our very own Patson Daka and the now retired Enoch Mwepu, history shows that these competitions are springboards to bigger careers.
By failing to qualify, this group of Zambian youngsters misses that platform. For some, the next chance may only come at U-20 level — three years away. And let’s be honest: history tells us that many promising lads fall off the radar in that gap. Without early international exposure, the probability of progressing diminishes sharply.
• Weakening the Pipeline
The failure also strikes at the heart of our senior national team. Zambia already struggles with a thin pool of quality players. The way to fix that is through a consistent pipeline of youngsters hardened by international exposure. Competing against Africa’s best at youth level teaches players how to handle pressure, adapt tactically, and rise above fear when facing big-name opponents.
Without that, the Chipolopolo pipeline dries up. The senior side is left to pick from a shallow base, and the cycle of underperformance continues. If we want to compete with the likes of Morocco, Nigeria, or Senegal, our juniors must first get used to fighting in those trenches.
• Coaching and Technical Stagnation
It’s not just the players who miss out. Coaches and technical staff also lose valuable lessons when our teams are absent from elite tournaments. Remember the U-17 girls’ World Cup in 2024? The gulf in tactical awareness between Zambia and the opposition was glaring — something even FIFA’s post-tournament reports confirmed.
These tournaments are classrooms as much as competitions. By sitting out, our coaches are denied the chance to benchmark against stronger nations, to see first-hand what modern football demands. That learning gap will only widen if we keep missing out.
• Other Hidden Losses
Beyond the pitch, the costs mount. Qualification brings visibility — visibility attracts sponsors. No qualification, no sponsorship boost. Without results to showcase, FAZ will find it harder to secure investment in youth programs.
Reputation also suffers. Zambia risks being seen as a fading light in youth development, which hurts chances of being invited to international friendlies or tournaments that could have offered valuable technical exposure. In short, the ripple effects reach far beyond this one group of boys.
• Final Whistle
The story of this campaign is simple: late preparation, underwhelming performances, and ultimately, elimination. But the bigger story is what Zambia loses by not being on that stage — opportunities for players, growth for coaches, sponsorship for FAZ, and pride for the nation.
In parting for this week, we can only wish Power Dynamos and Zesco United the very best as they fly our flag in CAF competitions. May their efforts bring some redemption in a season that has already handed us one painful reminder: in football, failure to prepare is preparation for failure.
Until next week, take care.
