Sabobo led U-17 off to Maseru for COSAFA Championship

The Zambia U-17 national team has left for Lesotho ahead of Region 5 Games Maseru 2020 which will run from November 30-December 9.

2020 COSAFA U-17 Championship top goalscorer, Joseph ‘Sabobo’ Banda leads the 18 member squad summoned for the tournament which will also act as the 2021 COSAFA U-20 Championship by coach George Chilufya.

Other notable players summoned include City of Lusaka defender Ricky Chanda, Kafue Celtic Midfielder Frank Chileshe, and defender Emmanuel Kateka.

2020 COSAFA U-17 Championship best goalkeeper Eric Makungu is also part of the squad.

Athletico Lusaka young striker Marcel Zimba and Janza Academy forward Kelvin Phiri are expected to lead the charge for glory with Sabobo as the mastermind in the middle.

The boys taking part in the football competition at the Region 5 Games Maseru 2020 will undergo Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) assessments to confirm their eligibility to compete in the tournament in Lesotho.

Zambia have been regular participants in the COSAFA Men’s Under-17 Championships down the years, and last won the title in Malawi in 2019 under the guidance of Oswald Mutapa.

The Boys’ tournament in Maseru is now an eight-team event with the sides split into two groups.

Group A will kick-off the tournament on November 30 as Zimbabwe take on Eswatini (10h00 CAT), followed by a clash between hosts Lesotho and Zambia (13h00).

Full Squad:

Eric Musonda Makungu

Terry Phiri

Lyson Banda

Sekanji Siame

Mathews Banda

Aaron Mbemba Kawangu Phiri

Frank Chileshe

Kelvin Phiri

Joseph Sabobo Banda

Marcel Zimba

Emmanuel Mutale

Emmanuel Kateka

Edward Mwale

Parkie Kapaya Nkhoma

Anthony Bwalya Mukuka

Samson Malaya

Ricky Chanda

Mumba Mwale.