REGION FIVES FOOTBALL, NETBALL SQUADS UNVEILED

ZAMBIA Under-17 men’s national team coach Ian Bakala has named a final 20-man squad for the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations | COSAFA qualifier to be held next month in Malawi.

The qualifier which will kick off on December 2 to 11 in Lilongwe will see the two finalists qualify for the junior Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Algeria next year.

Bakala has included eight players from the UEFA Invitational Tournament held in Georgia earlier this year while defender Taonga Mkandawire has made the final list after a one-year absence in the team.

Prior to commencement of the training camp, the candidates underwent the requisite Magnetic Imaging Resonance (MRI) examination as part of the tournament regulations.

Bakala has named Nangweshi Pirates young goal keeper Anthony Matafwali and Shadreck Kalyati from Chainda Bombers as the two goal keepers while Elvis Mulenga from Kafue Celtic, David Hamansenya from Shamuel Academy, Ama Soccer Academys Taonga Mkandawire,

Sekanji Siame representing Sporting Lusaka and Lweendo Chimuka from Arakan Rising Stars make up the defence.

Nkana’s Emmanuel Mutale, Aaron Simpasa from Kafue Celtic, Victor Mulenga from Arakan Rising Stars, Aaron Phiri, Frederick Ngululu, Kelvin Phiri, Samson Malaya, Joseph Liteta from All Atletico Lusaka FC are joined in midfield by Abel Mwelwa and Stanley Nyamikwe from Ama Soccer Academy Paataki.

Strikers are Marcel Zimba from Atletico Lusaka FC, Luketekelo Joram Kapowa from Morkved FC and Kafue Celtics Emmanuel Mwanza.

Meanwhile, Zambia under 20 national netball team coach Moses Malama Ndhlovu has named the final 12-member squad that will compete at this year’s Region 5 games in Malawi.

Ndhlovu who will be assisted on the technical bench by former national team player Martha Kafupi selected the final squad from various clubs, schools and also the Youth Sports Festival which was organised by the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts earlier this year.

Five of the players will be returning to the regional youth games for the second time after competing in Maseru, Lesotho in December last year.

After finishing fourth at the last regional championship, Zambia will aim to better their previous record as they face competition from Malawi, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

NETBALL SQUAD

DEFENDERS - Fostinah Mundia (NAPSA)

Idah Namonje (Secret Girls), Juliet Mukamba (Lusaka City Council), Iness Munge (NAPSA) and Mule Mukela (Blue Eagles).

MIDCOURT - Gift Ndawa (Lusaka City Council), Joyce Nalwamba (NAPSA) and Fatima Mulenga (Lusaka City Council).

SHOOTERS: Harriet Muchuma (Lusaka City Council), Tracy Mubanga (Red Arrows), Saskia Anna Kruger (Baobab College) and Cindy Kanyangala (Kansanshi).