Zambia FA president salutes U17 boys, girls for Cosafa dominance

The Football Association of Zambia (Faz) president Andrew Kamanga has saluted his country’s Under-17 boys and girls teams after they won the Cosafa Championships for their respective sections in South Africa on Friday.

In a statement, Kamanga said the two teams’ success was the fruits of the seeds sown over the years.

“This story adds to the incredible year we have had that has seen our national teams’ record success at various levels. The Under-17 girls were at the Fifa World Cup and have now added the Cosafa crown to their success, with the U20 and Copper Queens emerging champions at Cosafa level,” he said.

The boys edged Angola 2-1 in the final to defend the championship while the boys punished Lesotho 15-0 at the University of Johannesburg Soweto Stadium.

To cap it all, the Zambians swept a combined five out of the eight individual awards on offer.

Playmaker Mapalo Simute won the Player of the Tournament award, while Abel Nyirongo’s seven goals earned him the Golden Boot accolade.

Gelson Dala of Angola claimed the Golden Glove accolade while his team earned the Fair Play award.

The girls also dominated the individual recognitions with Mercy Chipasula’s 13 goals earning her the top scorer crown before winning the Player of the Tournament gong while compatriot Loveness Chingwele won the Golden Glove for best goalkeeper. Lesotho took home the Fair Play award.