The Zambia Under-17 national team underwent the mandatory Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) on Monday evening at City Clinic in Port Louis.

Cosafa has incorporated a mandatory MRI process for all the players participating in the juniors’ championship.

The MRI is being conducted in conjunction with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) who are using the Cosafa as the qualifier for the 2019 Tanzania U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

Prior to the heading to Mauritius, FAZ had the lads undergo MRI at the Italian Orthopaedic Hospital in Lusaka.
With the MRI out of the way, the lads will now be firmly focussed on the task of defending the trophy.

The process was overseen by seasoned CAF certified medical practitioner Dr Joseph Kabungo.

Tenant Chilumba’s charges kick off their title defence on July 19 against Mozambique before taking on Lesotho in their penultimate game on July 22.

Zambia will face South Africa two days later in their final Group B match.

The defending champions are lodged at Casa Florida Hotel and Spa in Perebere.

The U18 Zambia male hockey team which was camped at the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC) through the support of the National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ) has left for Algiers, Algeria ahead of the African Youth Games slated for 18^th to 28^th July, 2018.

The team of nine players who have been in camp for three weeks is accompanied by one Coach Samuel Tagwireyi and team manager Floyd Chomba.

The games will be used as qualifiers for the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games to be hosted in Buenos Aires, Argentina between 6^th and 18^th October.

The team was seen off by Olympic Youth Development Centre Director Dr. Fredrick Chitangala, who encouraged the boys to mint medals and subsequently qualify for the Summer Youth Olympic Games.

Dr. Chitangala, reminded the players that they were not travelling to Algeria for a vacation but for competitive games which must be taken seriously if they are to qualify for the Youth Olympic Games.

Meanwhile, Team manager Floyd Chomba, disclosed that the team is ready for the games and in high spirits to win the matches.

He added that his mission is to see the team qualify for the most anticipated Summer Youth Olympic Games in Argentina.

The team has been placed in Group B and will meet Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria.

Under-20 national team coach Charles Bwale has summoned Prison Leopards midfielder Prince Shipota as a replacement for the suspended Lameck Banda for Sunday’s Niger 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final leg qualifier in Ngozi against Burundi.

Team manager Mwansa Kapyanga told FAZfootball.com that the attacking midfielder has been roped in the squad that hopes to finish off the Burundi team after a 1-0 first leg win in Lusaka.

Banda will miss Sunday’s clash after having accumulated two yellow cards in the 1-0 win against Burundi where he scored the winner and took off his shirt.

Meanwhile Bwale has named his 20 member final squad to face Burundi on Sunday.

The team leaves for Burundi on Thursday morning.
“Team scheduled to leave for Burundi Thursday at 1am with a stopover in Kigali,” Kapyanga said.
Winner over two legs qualifies to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Niger.

Zambia are the resining African champions after having lifted the trophy on home soil in 2017.

FULL SQUAD
(GOALKEEPERS)
Prince Bwalya (Green Buffaloes), Flobby Mashakalati (Circuit City)

(DEFENDERS)
Benson Kolala (Nchanga Rangers), Jonathan Kapelembe (Romeki FC), Kingsley Hakwiya (Dream Factory), Christopher Katongo (Kasama United), Justin Mwanza (Young Nkana), Kasonde Mulenga (National Assembly)

(MIDFIELDERS)
Obino Chisala (Happy Hearts), Muma Mumba (Green Eagles), Thomas Zulu (Kafue Celtic), Chanda Mukuka (Gomes), Prince Shipota (Prison Leopards), Albert Kangwanda (Red Arrows), Oliver Lumbiya (Young Nkana), Kings Kangwa (Hapoel Be’er Sheva U19)

(STRIKERS)

Victor Mubanga (Lumwana Radiants), James Chilimina (Chirundu), Martin Njobvu (Nchanga Rangers), Francisco Mwepu (Kafue Celtic)

The Zambia Under-20 national team made a stop-over in Kigali enroute to Bujumbura for the Niger 2019 final round second leg encounter against Burundi.

Team Manager Mwansa Kapyanga told FAZfootball.com from Kigali that the team was scheduled to leave for Bujumbura at 16:30 hours where they will be be proceeding to Ngozi by road.

The team will take a two and half hours’ drive to Ngozi where they will set up base.

Kapyanga said the team had stopped at Mirror Hotel in Kigali to freshen up before proceeding.
Zambia carries a 1-0 advantage going into the second leg in Ngozi on Sunday.

Winner over two legs will qualify to the Africa Cup of Nations that will be used as a qualifier for Poland 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup.
Zambia are the defending champions of the Africa Cup after winning it on homes soil in 2017.

Chipolopolo midfielder Augustine Mulenga made a loud announcement at Orlando Pirates by winning the Goal of the Season accolade in his debut season at the Buccaneers.

Mulenga who joined compatriot Justin Shonga midseason walked away with the award at the gala night in Rivonia Johannesburg.

The 28-year-old is one of the players that will be expected to lead Zambia to the Cameroon 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Below is a full list of winners:

Player of the Season: Musa Nyatama

Players’ Player of the Season: Musa Nyatama

Fans’ Player of the Season: Musa Nyatama

Prospect of the Season: Innocent Maela

Goal of the Season: Augustine Mulenga

Golden Boot: Luvuyo Memela (five goals)

Golden Glove: Wayne Sandilands (five clean sheets)

Chairman’s Award: Happy Jele

Development Player of the Season: Augustine Mahlonoko

Reserves Player of the Season: Samuel Nkomo

The Zambia Under-20 national team today (Sunday) face Burundi in a crucial Niger 2019 final round, second leg qualifier Ukukundo Stadium in Ngozi.

Defending champions Zambia lead 1-0 from the first leg through a Lameck Banda goal scored at home last week at Nkoloma Stadium.

Coach Charles Bwale will be without Banda who is suspended after having red carded for accumulating two yellow cards in the last match.

However, the team will not be short of options with Francesco Mwepu, Kings Kangwa and Martin Njobvu expected to lead Zambian hopes upfront.

In midfield Thomas Zulu will be expected to hold things down while a central defence partnership of Kingsley Hakwiya and Christopher Katongo is expected to shut out Burundi.

Left back Benson Kolala and Justin Mwanza will complete the cover for Prince Bwalya in goal.

The team is lodged at Ruhuka Hotel in Ngozi.
Kickoff is at 15:00 hours.

Winner over two legs qualifies to the 2019 Niger Africa Cup of Nations.

Cosafa Under-17 defending champions Zambia this afternoon (Sunday) face Lesotho in the second Group Match at Anjalay Stadium in Belle Vue in a must win encounter.

Zambia drew 0-all with Mozambique in the opening match at the Francois Xavier Stadium on Thursday.

Coach Tenant Chilumba is banking on lads having shaken off the first match anxiety and step up in the assignment against Lesotho.

Skipper Alex Mwiinga will be called upon to commandeer his troops from the middle of the pack with Enock Sakala Junior and Collins leading the attack.

Adding up to the firepower would be Benson Simwanda, Richard Ngoma and Lasmond Phiri while the backline will be anchored Morgan Botha and Vincent Chate.

The right back position will be manned by Billy Maipenzi with Bernard Bwalya completing the set up.

Chilumba and has his bench showed in the first game that they are always ready to throw in other players to jack up the performance of those on the pitch.

Group B is still wide open after all the opening results ended in 0-0 stalemates.

Kickoff for the match is at 15:00 hours local time (13:00 hours Zambian time).

The match will be live on pay television channel Kwese Sports.

This year’s Cosafa Castle Cup will be used as a qualifier for the 2019 Tanzania Africa Cup of Nations.

SUNDAY FIXTURES

Mozambique vs South Africa 12:00 – Stade Anjalay

Zambia vs Lesotho 15:00 – Stade Anjalay

The World Aviation Safety Network With the help of De Havilland, the Canadian company that manufactured the plane that killed Zambian Footballers released the Report below.

The report blames Zambia authorities in that,
1. Plane was not airworthy
2. Crew was fatigued

The World Aviation Safety Network With the help of De Havilland, the Canadian company that manufactured the plane that killed Zambian Footballers released the Report below.

Zambia didn’t release their part of the report, but manufactures are obliged to release to air craft regulators.

Late Ben Mwila was Defence Minister, what was his role?The preliminary report pointed to top insiders.
Zambia was supposed to conduct investigations to answer to those issues.

Then MD for Zanaco Ngandu Magande was fired shortly after refusing to release money for investigations. In his memoirs he claims the money was for retrieving the wreck. Samuel Musonda replaced Magande. The investigations proceeded.
Manufacturers and Gabon both gave Zambia their findings..

Here is part of the report;

“The flight had been specially arranged by the Zambian Air Force for the football team. The journey was scheduled to make three refuelling stops; the first at Brazzaville, Congo, the second at Libreville, Gabon, and the third at Abidjan, Ivory Coast.”

Flight route

“At the first stop in Brazzaville engine problems were noted.”

“Despite this, the flight continued and a few minutes after taking off from the second stop in Libreville the left engine caught fire and failed.”

“The pilot, who had also flown the team from a match in Mauritius the previous day, then shut down the right engine, causing the plane to lose all power during the climb out of Libreville Airport and fall into the water 500 m (550 yd) offshore.”

:A Gabonese report released in 2003 attributed the pilot’s actions to a faulty warning light and fatigue on the part of the pilot.”

The DHC-5 Buffalo is a short takeoff and landing (STOL) utility transport turboprop aircraft developed from the earlier piston-powered DHC-4 Caribou.

The aircraft has extraordinary STOL performance and is able to take off in distances much shorter than even most light aircraft can manage.

Narrative:

The Zambian national football team had to play a World cup qualification match against the Senegal national team.

In order to transport the team and officials to Dakar, a Zambian Air Force plane was prepared.

The DHC-5 Buffalo, AF-319, had not been flying from December 21, 1992 to April 21, 1993 so test flights were carried out on April 22 and April 26. On April 26 both the A and B checks were carried out revealing certain defects such as carbon particles in the engine and in speed decreased gearbox oil filters, disconnected or unbridled cables and trace of heating.

The Buffalo departed Lusaka, for Dakar with planned intermediate stops at Brazzaville, Libreville and Abidjan. After refuelling at Libreville, the aircraft took-off at 22:44 hours, one hour and 45 minutes late.

Shortly afterwards the left engine caught fire.
The plane headed out over sea and lost altitude until it struck the water 500 m offshore.

An investigation conducted by the Gabonese Ministry of Defence suggested that the pilot shut down the remaining right-hand engine causing the plane to lose all power.

The report, released in November 2003, also said that the pilot was tired, having just flown back from Mauritius the previous day.

Kalusha Bwalya at the Heroes Resting Site

Ng’andu Peter Magande writes from the Depth of his footprints:

“In April 1993, the ZANACO gave an advance to the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) for the national team’s trip to Mozambique. While the team was away, FAZ Chairman Michael Mwape came to see me and asked for some further financial assistance for the team’s trip to Senegal in West Africa. I demanded that they must first pay back the money they’d borrowed before we could consider another advance. From his passionate and detailed explanation, there was not enough time, as the team was just passing through Zambia on their way to West Africa.

Charles Musonda (r) with Kalusha Bwalya

As an ardent supporter of the national football team and as I had consulted my chairman on the first request, which was approved, I approved another advance. The team connected through Lusaka, where more players and officials including FAZ Chairman Mwape joined on the journey to Senegal via Gabon by a Zambia Air Force military plane.
A few days later on 27 April 1993, I left for the USA at the invitation of the NCR Corporation, the suppliers of computers to our bank. On our first day, we had to leave Washington DC very early in the morning for a visit to one of the computer warehousing facilities. As we were having our early breakfast, one of our hosts came over to me and whispered that the plane carrying the Zambia National Team had crashed in West Africa. He continued to say that from the reports received, all on board had perished.
I could not hold back my tears as I dropped my utensils and started sobbing publicly.
We abandoned our breakfast and I retired to my room with a sense of guilt. I concluded that it was our bank’s financial assistance that enabled the team to undertake the fateful journey.

I vividly recalled my conversation with FAZ Chairman Mwape, as he’d pleaded with me that without our financial support the team would not make it to Senegal for the match. He was not aware that even with our bank’s financial assistance, the match was not going to be played.
We cancelled the day’s tour programme and the delegation remained at the hotel in mourning for the sporting heroes. As I was now on hypertension treatment, I prescribed to myself another dose of medicine after six hours due to the sad news. Our three weeks’ trip, both in the USA and Scotland was a sorrowful one as we had to answer many questions, everywhere we went, about the accident from so many people, who spoke highly of the departed football players.
On our return to Zambia, I brought the matter of the FAZ advance to our board with a recommendation to have the amounts for the two trips written off. The situation was that the cash drowned with the footballers and no one alive was to be held accountable. The board accepted my recommendation, although the chairman made some comments apportioning some blame on my management.
A few weeks later, the Zambian Government requested the bank for a loan to be used for the salvaging of the ZAF plane off the coast of Gabon. As I was aware that the Zambian Government had no capacity to undertake such a task, I requested for a copy of a contract signed with an organization that was competent in salvaging operations. I insisted on such documentation in view of the large loan amount requested. When no such documentation was presented, I declined to take the government’s request to the Board. This raised a lot of resentment against me within the Government circles.
I learnt later that the loan was approved by the ZANACO Board, a few weeks after I had left the bank. During a trip to Gabon in 1997, I visited the accident site and was informed that no salvaging work was ever undertaken by the Zambian Government and the plane wreckage was still at the bottom of the deep ocean.
The report on the plane accident has not been released to the chagrin of the living relatives of the accident victims.

Ng’andu Magande

Consultations on the compensation to the thirty affected families were protracted and only concluded and the families paid in 2004 after I became Minister of Finance in President Mwanawasa’s administration.
After our trip to the USA and Scotland in 1993, I was eager and confident to implement the computerization of the bank. We had become acquainted with the latest equipment, which we were shown during our tour of the NCR installations in Dundee, the “City of Discovery” and the home of the first automated teller machine (ATM) in 1967.
One of the computerization milestones achieved by my management was the installation of the first ATM in Zambia’s banking industry. I recall the exuberant mood of the ZANACO staff and guests, as the ATM, dubbed ‘ZANACO 24’, located at the entrance to the head office building, was inaugurated. The bank’s popularity rose resulting in an increased clientele and the bank’s profit before taxation, which went up from K1,884 million for the year ended March 1992 to K4,072 million for the year ended March 1994”, from “The Depth of My Footprints”.

The Zambia Under-17 national team are on course to qualify to the next round of the 2018 COSAFA Championship after edging Lesotho 1-0 in the second Group B match.

Benson Simwanda struck in the 89th minute to snatch all three points for Tenant Chilumba’s side in a match played at the Anjalay Stadium in Belle Vue, Mauritius.

The defending champions looked as though they would be left frustrated by Lesotho before their late success, but the latter had the best chance of the opening half as Tebello Lethoko was denied by a fine stop from Philip Malunga in the Junior Chipolopolo goal.

Zambia’s Vincent Kalinda saw his effort cleared off the line in the second half, while Enock Sakala missed a cross with the goal gaping.

But the defining moment came with a minute left when Simwanda headed home to seal the victory and set up a winner-takes-all clash against South Africa in their final pool match on Tuesday.

The action continues on Monday when the second round of games in Group C are played.

The COSAFA Under-17 Championships serve as a qualifier for the 2019 African Under-17 Championships that will be played in Tanzania, which in turn is a qualifier for the FIFA World Cup in Peru later in the year.

The Zambia Under-20 national team will not get the chance to defend their Africa Cup of Nations trophy after suffering a humiliating 3-0 defeat at the hands of Burundi in a second-leg qualifier played at Ukukundo Stadium in Ngozi this afternoon.

The result means Burundi have made it to the Niger 2019 AFCON, having won the two-legged tie 3-1 on aggregate.

The much fancied Zambia went into the match boasting a slender 1-0 advantage but were shorn of the services of influential forward Lameck Banda who was suspended.

During the just ended Africa Rugby Silver Cup South tournament hosted by Mufulira Rugby Club in Zambia, the Zambia Rugby Union in partnership with Mopani Copper Mines conducted Level 2 courses for Coaches, Referees and First Aiders.

The facilitators were World Rugby Educators/Trainers Denver Wannies from South Africa who did the Coaches, Johnbosco Muamba from Kenya who did the Referees course and Dr Joseph Kalanzi from Uganda who did the First Aiders course. The participants were drawn from Zambia and Botswana and included both male and female.

The coaches course had 19 participants with 4 female, the referees course attracted 13 participants out of which 6 were female, the first aid course attracted 29 participants with 4 being female.

Zambia Rugby Union president Gen Clement Sinkamba could not hide his excitement with the development had this to say “Our union has for a long time lacked qualified personnel such as Coaches, Referees and First Aiders and this is an opportunity that has come at the right time”. “For the first time in 6 years, we are glad to be hosting courses to our personnel which are meant to enhance their performance both on and off the pitch, we are glad to be hosting courses recognised and sanctioned by World Rugby in our country.

He added that his Executive was keen on growing the women’s side of rugby in Zambia. “The inclusion of women participants is not accidental but is a deliberate move meant to increase the participation of women and girls in the global game, we acknowledge that our numbers are still minimal but we are intent on growing to at least 40/60% in 2023”.

The Zambia Rugby Union boss further added that the coming in of Mopani Copper Mines in the Zambian rugby circles was what the local game was waiting for as it was multifaceted. “We are not only concentrating on players but everyone else who is involved in the game”.

With this great development, one can only hope for more success as far as the “HomeGrown” game is concerned.

Zambia Under-20 national team coach Charles Bwale says his team played well despite losing 3-0 away to Burundi in the Niger 2019 Africa Cup of Nations second leg final round qualifier.

In a post-match interview, Bwale said although he had no evidence that Burundi used over-aged players there was need for CAF to introduce stringent measures to curb any possibilities of age cheating.

“The boys played well, though the results have come the way they have come out. I am not disappointed with the boys, it is only that CAF need be a bit serious on the issue of age cheating,” he said.

“When I look at Burundi team, most of them are not under-20. It is like they are the senior national team.”
He added: “As Zambia we went into this competition clean, we worked out on the issue of age cheating and scrutinized our players. We did our level best but the competition is not even.”

Zambia lost 3-0 cancelling out the 1-0 home win leaving the aggregate at 3-1 with the African champions unable to defend their crown.

Bwale said his boys had run a good race and could still be stars for the future.

Zambia dumped out Rwanda 3-1 on aggregate in the second round with a 2-0 away win before drawing 1-all at home.

The 30 youths who were shortlisted from the Kitwe and Lusaka trials for the Shield-Chelsea #BetheNextChampion talent search will enter into a one week football camp where they will get the opportunity to hone their football skills. The boys will be in camp from Tuesday 24 July to 28 July 2018 while training at Fallsway Arena. The final selection will done the 29th of July where one player will be selected to represent Zambia joining the Africa select team that will play with Chelsea legends in London
While in Camp, the three local coaches, namely Christopher Katongo, Kalililo Kakonje and Kampamba Chintu will take the youths through their football paces.

The local coaches will be joined by three Chelsea coaches who will arrive on Friday 27th July evening and will conduct training sessions and select the winner from Zambia who will join the Africa select team that will play with Chelsea legends in London.

The Chelsea Coaches’ delegation consists of Head coach Laurence Griffin, Steve O’ Reilly and Freddie Myers. The three have so far toured Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

“The boot camp is an important phase of the #Bethenextchampion campaign. Not only is it about picking a representative from Zambia for the Africa XI team, but it is also about inspiring confidence, hard work and teaching dedication to all the participants. This is the embodiment of Shield deodorant.” said Susan Luneta, Shield Brand Manager.

“We want all the players attending the boot camp to leave with the memorable experience of having gained valuable football skills that will take their football aspirations a step further as they continue to pursue their dreams. The camp will also teach the participants to be exemplary members of society as they interact with each other,” Luneta said.

Christopher Katongo, Kalililo Kakonje and Kampamba Chintu have worked hand in hand with Shield as brand ambassadors to recruit the 30 youngsters who will enter the boot camp.

“This boot camp will be an intensive program that will give the youngsters the training and skills set they will need to impress the Chelsea delegation. We know they already have the talent, this time it will be about building on their raw talents and counselling them on pursuing their goals.” said Christopher Katongo.

The #BeTheNextChampion talent search, a journey which began in April, is a grassroots football initiative that stems from a partnership between Chelsea and Unilever’s Shield brand. The program has had the endorsement of football stakeholders and has been commended for providing a platform for youths to showcase their football talent.

From an overwhelming response of hundreds of entrants that came for trials held in Lusaka and Kitwe, 30 were shortlisted for the boot camp to compete for the one slot to represent Zambia in the Africa XI select team that will fly to London to play with Chelsea legends in September.

There will be a special dinner on the 29th of July where lucky winners will have a chance to have dinner with the Chelsea coaches. To stand a chance to win a dinner with the Chelsea coaches to enter, one has to purchase any Shield product and send a picture of their receipt to 0972888720.

Power Dynamos midfielder Linos Makwaza Jr is in line to become the third Makwaza to wear the Chipolopolo jersey after he was called up to the national team camp by new Coach Sven Vandenbroek.

Coach Vandenbroek has summoned 23 locally-based players to a three-day training camp in Lusaka.

Makwaza Jr will join his grandfather, Dickson Makwaza, who captained the national team in the 1970s and his father, Linos Sr, who was part of the reconstituted Chipolopolo side that took Africa by storm in the 1990s.

Three generations of a footballing family featuring for a national team is a rarity in world football.

The young midfielder has been in fine form in his first full season at Power and stood out in his team’s 0-0 league draw with Zesco United at Arthur Davies Stadium yesterday.

And addressing a media briefing at Football House today, Vandenbroek said his selection was based on his having watched local matches since taking up his Chipolopolo appointment on July 10.

Vandenbroek said he had watched 13 Super League teams, adding that he would watch all the teams in the coming days.

“It is not a definitive list, because I will have more than one camp. I will try to make a pool of 30 to 35 players. From there we will go to 23,” Vandenbroek said.

The Belgian said the camp was aimed at helping him know the players better and appreciate their strengths and weaknesses.

He said that more players would be called up in upcoming camps as he narrows the numbers to those required for Chipolopolo duty.

The coach said that he had excluded Zesco United players that had a continental engagement over the weekend.

The Chipolopolo have crucial Africa Cup of Nations engagements in September when they play Namibia and Guinea Bissau.

SQUAD

(GOALKEEPERS)

Charles Muntanga (Nkwazi), Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Mangani Banda (Zanaco)

(DEFENDERS)

Gideon Sichone (Green Buffaloes), Gift Zulu (Nkana), Benson Sakala, Allan Kamwanga (Power Dynamos), Lawrence Chungu, Isaac Shamujompa (Buildcon), Mwila Phiri (Lusaka Dynamos), Laison Thole (Kabwe Warriors),

(MIDFIELDERS)

Linos Makwaza, Larry Bwalya (Power Dynamos), Mike Katiba, Fellon Sitonya, Jack Chirwa (Green Buffaloes), Kelvin Kampamba, Jacob Ngulube (Nkana), Collins Sikombe (Lusaka Dynamos), Charles Zulu (Zanaco)

(STRIKERS)

Brian Mwila (Buildcon), Alex Ng’onga (Power Dynamos)

TEAM STAFF

Sven Vandenbroeck (Head Coach), Dayle Solomon (Assistant coach), Chintu Kampamba (Physical Trainer), Steven Mwansa (Goalkeeper trainer), Ephraim Mphanza, Hensley Chilimboyi (both physiotherapists), Gerard Sakala (Kit), Hastings Ndovi (Team Manager), Nathan Phiri (Team Security)

The Zambia Under-17 national team conclude their Group B games today (Tuesday) at the on-going Cosafa Castle Cup in Mauritius with a high stakes game against fierce rivals South Africa at the Francois Xavier Stadium.

Both teams are tied at four points with South Africa ahead on superior goal difference.

Zambia has won one match and drawn another just like their opponents in today’s match.

Coach Tenant Chilumba’s lads have been improving as the tournament has progressed and will be expected to step up even higher today against South Africa.

Chilumba will count on the striking partnership of Enock Sakala junior and Vincent Kalinda to do damage to the South Africans.

Zambia has also some creativity in Benson Simwanda and Lasmond Phiri while skipper Alex Mwiinga has been providing link play between the midfield and defence.

At the back the towering Morgan Botha and Vincent Chate will be in central defence with Billy Maipenzi and Bernard Bwalya completing the set up while Phillip Malunga is expected to start in goal.

Kickoff for the match is at 15:00 hours local time (13:00 hours Zambian time).

The match will be beamed live on pay television channel Kwese Sports.

Only the winners of the group will qualify to the semifinals while one more spot will be available for the second best team across three groups.

Zambia are the defending champions having lifted the trophy last year in Mauritius.

The winners of the 2018 edition of the Cosafa Castle Cup will automatically qualify for the Tanzania 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

TUESDAY’S FIXTURES
12:00 Namibia vs Botswana – Stade Anjalay
12:00 Seychelles vs Mauritius – Stade St Francois Xavier
15:00 Lesotho vs Mozambique – Stade Anjalay
15:00 South Africa vs Zambia – Stade St Francois Xavier

Defending champions Zambia have been eliminated from the ongoing 2018 COSAFA Under-17 Championships following a 2-1 defeat at the hands of bitter rivals South Africa.

South Africa came back from the shock of conceding an early goal to claim victory over the Junior Chipolopolo and top Group B with seven points.

Vincent Kalinda fired Zambia into the lead, but just minutes later Thando Buthelezi equalised for the South Africans with his second goal of the campaign.

Zambia had to push for the win to overhaul the Amajimbos at the top of the table, but were caught 10 minutes from time when Boitumelo Radiopane found a winner for the two-time champions.

Andrew Kamanga

The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has lodged a formal complaint to the Confederation of African football (CAF) over alleged age cheating by the Burundi Under-20 national team, according to FAZ president Andrew Kamanga.

Burundi qualified to the Niger 2019 Africa Cup of Nations at the expense of defending champions Zambia via a 3-1 aggregate scoreline over two legs.

But FAZ are adamant Burundi used overage players in both fixtures and and have asked the continental soccer governing body to institute investigations.

“I would like to confirm that the Football Association of Zambia lodged a complaint with CAF against Burundi over age cheating,” FAZ president Andrew Kamanga wrote on his Facebook page.

Meanwhile, Kananga has sought to downplay the recent disappointing results recorded by the country’s two junior teams.

The Under-20 national team failed to defend the African title they won on home soil last year, meekly surrendering to Burundi 3-0 in the final qualification match of the 2019 edition, while their Under-17 counterparts failed to defend their COSAFA title, having been eliminated from the this year’s tournament at group stage.

This means the country will have to wait a few years to see it’s youths teams complete at the continental, let alone world stage.

However, Kananga believes there’s plenty to be positive about.

“The average age for the under 20 team is 17 years. The average age for the current under 17 is 14 years. The average age for the Under 23 team is 20 years,” Kananga stated. “As we continue to graduate them up the ranks, we are creating a reservoir of National team players.

“Our countrywide grassroots football development program will ensure that we have a revolving pool of top class football players for the foreseeable future.”

The Ndola giants are winless in all three Caf Champions League matches they have played so far

Zesco United welcome from injury defender Simon Silwimba and midfielder Anthony Akumu ahead of Friday’s Caf Champions League showdown away at Primeiro Agosto.

A terrible run has defined Group D basement side Zesco’s run in the current campaign in which they are winless and have conceded three goals in three games.

The trip to Angola provides a stern test for George Lwandamina’a charges who just have two points with three games left to salvage their campaign.

But with Silwimba and Akumu back, Zesco have received a big boost as they seek to break the jinx.

After missing last weekend’s Zambian league match against Power Dynamos following a knock sustained in the reverse fixture against Agosto, Silwimba is back for the crucial tie at the Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda.

Kenya international Akumu also returns, having missed Zesco’s last two games.

Facing Agosto, who held them 0-0 in Ndola last week, makes the visit to Angola a tough task for 2016 Caf Champions League semi-finalists Zesco.

Agosto also have a boost of their own with defender Natael and midfielder Macaia returning from injury.

Also in Group D, leaders Etoile du Sahel are keen to consolidate their stay at the top when they host Mbabane Swallows at the Stade Olympique de Sousse.

Enjoying a three-point gap at the top, Etoile would want to avoid defeat to maintain their lead while a win for second-placed Swallows throws the race for top place wide open.

But inspiring for Etoile is the fact that they beat Swallows away in Swaziland last week.

The trip to Tunisia has however become tougher for Swallows who now have a Champions League depleted side after star players Felix Badenhorst and Sandile ‘Nkomishi’ Ginindza joined South African National First Division side Mbombela United last week.

Coach Thabo Vilakati however feels lucky to have Sanele Mkhweli whose move to another South African First Division side, TS Sporting has been delayed.

“Mkhweli is here as you can see and we will see when he goes. It’s only Richard Sewu who we’ll meet in Johannesburg as he had some things to sort out,” Vilakati told the Times of Swaziland.

Their stay at position two on the log is under threat from Zesco and Agosto, whom they lead by two points each.

Zesco United’s winless run in the 2018 CAF Champions League Group D continued when they lost 2-1 away to CD Primeiro de Agosto at the Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda, Angola, on Friday.

The Zambian giants capitulated in the dying minutes of a hugely entertaining match, having taken the lead early in the second half through John Ching’andu.

The win took Angola’s Agosto to second spot on the group standings, while Zesco slipped down to fourth place on the table.

The two teams went into this encounter having drawn 0-0 in a match which was played at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Zambia, almost two weeks ago.

Agosto pushed for an early goal with Nigerian striker Razak Adegbite leading their attack against a stubborn Zega Mambo defence.

However, Zambia international and central defensive midfielder Kondwani Mtonga looked solid infront of the Zesco backline.

Zega Mambo also looked dangerous through Lazarous Kambole, who was one of the best players in Ndola in the first encounter between the two teams.

However, the two teams could not convert their chances in the first half and the score was 0-0 at the interval in the capital city of Angola.

The deadlock was finally broken seven minutes after hour-mark and it was John Ching’andu who opened the scoring.

Kambole set up the Zambia international, who beat Agosto goalkeeper Toni to make it 1-0 to Zesco – stunning the home crowd into silence.

D’Agosto then pushed for the equalising goal and they introduced Anderson Guelor with 17 minutes left on the clock.

The hosts managed to snatch a late equaliser through Geraldo, who scored in the 90th minute to make it 1-1 with Mongo Bokamba grabbing an assist.

Super-sub Geraldo, who had been introduced in the 55th minute, then set up Bobo Ungenda, who scored in stoppage time to hand Agosto a 2-1 win over Zesco on the day.