Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Issa Hayatou says he is impressed with the way Zambia has organized the Total U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
And FAZ president Andrew Kamanga said that he was confident Zambia may be given the rights to host a bigger tournament in future based on the manner the U-20 tournament had been organized.
Meanwhile sports minister Moses Mawere said that the success of the U-20 tournament had bonded the nation into one happy unit.
During a CAF U-20 send off dinner at Intercontinental Hotel, Hayatou said his team had a chance to sample the country’s tourism.
“As CAF president I have the obligation to tell you that I am happy with the manner this tournament has been organized. I would love this level of organization to continue as we approach the final days so that we have a smooth end,” he said.
The CAF president said that the lead role of the political leadership in the country had been critical in ensuring that the tournament is a success.
“Organizing a tournament of this magnitude requires cooperation of the political side, that is why I would like to thank the President of the Republic of Zambia (Edgar Lungu) who has been attending most of the matches,” he said.
“His presence has been very important not just now but even high level of officials in the meetings before now.”
Hayatou said that beyond the tournament his team had sampled the Zambian tourism flavour and hoped to come back for some more in future.
“Beyond the organization of this tournament, we have had the opportunity to see Zambia’s tourism. We went to Livingstone and loved the sights and hope to come back in future for more,” he said.
In his speech Kamanga thanked Zambians for having supported the hosting of the tournament.
“It is our hope, that in future Zambia shall be given an opportunity to host the senior African Cup of Nations,” Kamanga said.
He said hosting the tournament had come on the back of strong preparations by Zambia.
Mawere said that the U-20 success had diluted tension in the country with people standing side by side to enjoy the matches.
The tournament comes to a close on Sunday with Zambia and Senegal facing off in the final while South Africa and Guinea will be up against each other in the fight for bronze in the early kick off at Heroes Stadium.
[FAZ]
Is it a coincident that Zambia was going to play Senegal when the team perished off the Gabon shores where they later won the AFCON cup in 2012 just near the place the team perished? is it a coincident also that Zambia plays Senegal in the 2017 U20 AFCON at HEROES stadium just near the ground where the perished team are buried? Is it also a coincident in 2012 Zambia beat sworn rivals Ghana 1_0 to reach the final and in 2017 beat sworn rivals South Africa 1_ 0 to reach the final?Is it also a coincidence that both finals 2012 and 2017 Zambia plays French speaking countries Ivory Coast in 2012 and Senegal in 2017?
Senegal using african Juju. Zambia bible
Thank u Hayatou, kudos to Kamanga for working hard to deliver a successful tourney. Keep it up Undefeated Guru passing unwarranted statements! It keeps our man on his toys! After this Kamanga, go go, deal severely with Kazala. Recover our money K 150,000 wud go a long way torwards camping expeses for U20s. Dont let him off the hook. You hv our support Kamanga! Plus FIFA has washed its hands off the corrupt clique; u know who!
I agree with you on Kazala, he should not be left alone until all stones are turned and checked underneath. If found with a case to answer, he will need to pay back the money first and hopefully put in jail for a good amount of time, but you can’t trust that anti-corruption which is itself corrupt, so there is that too.
@ S L I M,
You always want to bring politics to Zambian football.
For your own information your kamanga took the issue to ACC but it was thrown out.
Ba Frank ….mulekwata insoni. ….This game is knuckle to knuckle ….no holds barred. ….no mysteries ……Bola na Lesa
Some people on this blog amuse me! Always look for negative vibes “always Kalu this, Kananga that,kazala what…..” even when the mood is somber and uniting they want to bring politics.we beg now tomorrow is a big game let’s concentrate on the agenda which is lifting the trophy. Wishing the boys a good run tomorrow