Switzerland-based Zambian international winger and FC Zurich player Joseph Sabobo Banda has joined the Zambia U-20 national team for the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). He is one of the most experienced players in the squad, having already made his debut for the senior national team and signed a professional contract with Zurich last year.
The 18-year-old dribbler does not want to get ahead of himself ahead of the tournament, stating, “In football, there is a win, loss, and draw, so we can’t promise that we will win every game.”
Zambia is in Group A alongside hosts Egypt, South Africa, Tanzania, and Sierra Leone. Banda, however, wants the team to ensure they win their first match against Sierra Leone on Sunday.
“In a tournament like this, the first game is key; it will show us where we are going,” he said in an interview with FAZ media. “So we will see how it goes, then we will know how far we can go.”
Confident Sabobo ahead of opener
On facing Sierra Leone, Banda is confident the Boyd Mulwanda-coached junior Chipolopolo have what it takes to win.
“We can beat them. The key is teamwork, unity and hard work, and also putting God first,” he said. “Once we go past the group stage, we will know what’s coming ahead,” he added.
Banda rose to fame in 2021 at the age of 15 during the COSAFA U-17 Championship. Coincidentally, he made his senior Chipolopolo debut in September during the 2025 AFCON qualifier against Sierra Leone. The former Athletico Lusaka youngster stole the show in Zambia’s 3-2 victory over the Leone Stars at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
That same year, Banda also scored his first goal for FC Zurich on his Swiss Super League debut on August 11, coming on as a second-half substitute in the 67th minute to make it 2-0 against Lausanne.
All eyes will be on him to help the junior Chipolopolo, who are aiming for their first World Cup qualification in eight years and a second gold medal, having last won it on home soil with the class of 2017.
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