Beston Chambeshi Backs U-17 Team After Dominant AFCON Start

Beston Chambeshi. (Photo by Christopher Lee - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

2017 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations-winning coach Beston Chambeshi sees great potential in Ian Bakala’s U-17 team currently competing at the 2025 Junior AFCON in Morocco.

Bakala’s squad made a strong start, defeating Tanzania 4-1 to go level on points with group leaders and hosts Morocco.

Chambeshi expressed his optimism, saying, “I watched the game, and I am impressed with the way the boys executed it. We were well managed, and you could see that we have a future in these boys.”

The performance was convincing, with captain Jonathan Kalimina opening the scoring with a powerful strike before striker Abel Nyirongo doubled the lead in clinical fashion. Mike Mutale and Gabriel Phiri scored the third and fourth goals.

Chambeshi, who has coached at all but one national youth level, emphasized the importance of instilling a winning mentality. “At this stage, winning is not everything, but you still need to inculcate that culture of winning,” he said. “The boys managed the game and scored beautiful goals; of course, there is room for improvement, but you can tell that the future is bright.”

Chipolopolo stars also congratulated the team on their impressive start. Midfielder Emmanuel Banda commented, “Well done, boys,” on a Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) post, while Leicester City striker Patson Daka echoed the sentiment, saying, “Well done, boys,” in a message of encouragement ahead of their crucial match against Morocco tomorrow.

The tournament doubles as a qualifier for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, with all quarterfinalists securing a spot in the competition, a feat Zambia has never achieved at this level.