Under-17 football coach, Bakala, names final squad for AFCON 2023 tournament

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 of the 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 April 30 before a crunch fixture against South Africa on May 3.

Bakala’s side will wrap-up their Group B engagement with north Africans Morocco on May 6, 2023.

Final squad

Goalkeepers are Shadreck Kalyati (Chainda Bombers), Anthony Matafwali (Shamuel Academy), Hendrix Kanyungulu (Kafue Celtic).

Defenders are 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).

Midfielder are 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 are Emmanuel Mwanza (Kafue Celtic), Luketekelo Kapowa (Mokved),Marcel Zimba (Atletico), Lineker Mbesuma (Jomo Cosmos-RSA), Andrew Phiri (Game On FC), Josim Sikazwe (Kanyama Lions).

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