The Zambia U17 men’s national team kicked off their COSAFA Championship title defense in style, thrashing Namibia 8-0 on Wednesday.
The tournament is also serving as the qualifier for the 2025 Caf U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
However, head coach Ian Bakala expressed mixed feelings about the performance, stating he had expected more from his team.
“I think the boys played well, but we were expecting more than this. This game is gone; we just need to focus on the next one,” Bakala said.
Despite the convincing victory, Bakala acknowledged the challenges of starting the tournament. He highlighted the importance of the high goal count but remained cautious about the road ahead.
“For us, it’s just the beginning. First games are always difficult, but the positive thing is we scored more goals,” he added.
Zambia’s next test will be against Zimbabwe, who also made a strong start with a 5-1 win over Eswatini. The match is expected to be a decisive encounter for the top spot in Group B.
Bakala anticipates a tough challenge but believes his squad will improve.
“Looking at Zimbabwe, they are coming from a win too. I think they scored five, so it’s going to be a 50/50 game. But looking at Zambia, I think our boys will do much better than this,” Bakala predicted.
When asked if Zambia could top the group, Bakala remained cautious:
“I can’t say that. First, we have to win the game. They also have the advantage, but I think the game against Zimbabwe will give us a clear picture.”
Meanwhile, the Zambia senior women’s national team and the U20 side have already clinched regional titles this year, with the U20 girls opening their campaign with a 9-0 victory over Lesotho. Despite the success of the women’s teams, Bakala urged against direct comparisons.
“Definitely, those are U20s, and these boys are just coming up. It’s a different case. We can’t say because they won nine, we have to do the same. Those are women; we are men. We can’t compete or compare with them,” Bakala concluded.
