Chipolopolo striker Fashion Sakala says he has been following the junior Chipolopolo at the ongoing FIFA U17 World Cup and that he is proud of their performances so far.
Sakala has urged the Dennis Makinka side to stay focused and keep working hard. The Saudi Arabia based forward was speaking after a training session with the Chipolopolo Boys on Tuesday morning at UNILUS ground.
Sakala who played at the 2017 U20 World and reached the quarter finals believes the Junior Chipolopolo have a chance to reach the final.
The former Rangers forward was also quick to emphasize the importance of helping the young Chipolopolo to stay grounded so that they don’t lose their way given their massive talent and potential.
“Yeah, I’ve been following their progress, I’ve been watching their games, they’re doing so well, I’m very proud of them and I really want them to stay focused and to keep working hard, obviously,” he said.
“I was once in their position as well, playing for the under-20s, so I know that they have a lot of pressure, but you can see the way they are playing, a very bright future. And we are looking forward to maintaining this team, to keep it, and obviously they need proper preparation to keep, because most of the time we lose the young players. It has happened before, whereby you see young players who are doing so well and a few years later you don’t even know where they are.”
“So I think we really need to help them, and they are doing so well, they are at the World Cup, and hopefully praying for them that they can get to the final. They have the chance and they are doing so well,” he added.
Zambia has been paired with Mali in the Round of 32 at the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025.
Zambia qualified as Group H runners-up, finishing the group stage unbeaten with seven points from three matches , victories over Indonesia (3-1) and Honduras (5-2), followed by a spirited 1-1 draw with Brazil.
Mali, meanwhile, finished second in Group L recording wins over New Zealand (3-0) and Saudi Arabia (2-0), and suffering a 3-0 loss to Austria in their second match.
